MATCH PREVIEW:
Now then, it’s time for the European champions to take centre stage.
Spain come into this World Cup as one of the favourites to lift the trophy on 19 July and add a second star to their shirt.
But in Cape Verde, they face a tournament debutant desperate to make a mark.
The Blue Sharks have long been considered international minnows and only joined Fifa in 1985 – four decades later and they are finally ready to make their World Cup bow.
The west African’s possess an enviable team spirit and head coach Bubista says his side will “stay true to their identity” this summer.
“We will face world-class teams,” continued the 56-year-old. “But our philosophy is clear.”
They employed a 4-2-3-1 formation during qualifying and owe a lot of their success to the pace of their direct attacks. They will attempt to play straight through teams, with lone forward Dailon Livramento constantly seeking to run in behind.
The full-backs like to invert and the wingers hug the touchline which creates space for Livramento and playmaker Jamiro Monteiro in the middle.
Lamine Yamal became the first 16-year-old to play (and score) at the Euros two years ago and could join an illustrious list this summer – only seven men have netted a World Cup goal before turning 19.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will join a select group of players aged 40 and over to play at a World Cup when he starts between this sticks.
ANALYSIS:
Spain’s pursuit of a second star may rest on a wing and a prayer.
Luis de la Fuente’s side were a class apart as they swept to Euro 2024 glory, combining their trademark midfield precision and control with the more vertical, direct threat posed by electric wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
But both players are injury doubts as they recover from hamstring issues. If they are unavailable, or not quite in peak condition, Spain’s attack could lack some of the pace, variety and X-factor needed to break down elite opposition.
It should be less of a problem in their opening two games, versus Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, so there is little reason to take early risks.
De la Fuente has alternated between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 in his reign and can lean heavily on versatile attacking midfielder Dani Olmo – so influential in the latter stages of the Euros – to cover any absentees.
Cape Verde is the third-smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, in terms of population, with fellow debutants Curacao and Iceland in 2018 only smaller.
They’re aiming to become the first African side to reach the knockout stages on their maiden appearance since Ghana in 2006.
Rotterdam-born forward Dailon Livramento is not prolific, but he enjoys the big stage and his brilliant solo effort against Cameroon cemented his status as a national hero. If he scores at the World Cup then they’ll probably build him a statue.
Tricky attacking midfielder Jamiro Monteiro is crucial to how Cape Verde want to play and he often drops deep or drifts out wide to get on the ball. His comfort in tight spaces should not be a surprise, as he grew up playing cage football in Rotterdam.
Centre-back Logan Costa is the only player competing in one of Europe’s top five divisions, but an ACL injury has limited him to 30 minutes of action with Villarreal this season. The former France youth international was always going to be selected, but is he ready to start?
Spain have got a lot of the very best players.
The depth in the squad is absolutely phenomenal – it’s absolutely brilliant.
I suspect we might see a few goals in this one. There have been a couple of hammerings already in this World Cup – it’ll be intriguing to see how they react to that.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: I strongly tipped Spain to begin their campaign with a comfortable 3–0 win over Cape Verde, leaning on their Euro 2024-winning structure built under Luis de la Fuente.
Even if Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are not fully fit or are rested due to hamstring concerns, Spain’s midfield control remains their biggest weapon. With the likes of Dani Olmo stepping into advanced roles, Spain can maintain their trademark possession-based dominance while still injecting verticality between the lines.
Cape Verde, despite their historic qualification as one of the smallest nations ever to reach the World Cup, are expected to struggle against Spain’s positional play and pressing structure.
Their attacking outlet, Dailon Livramento, may offer moments of threat, but Spain’s backline should rarely be stretched. With Spain’s depth and technical superiority across midfield, a controlled, professional win without conceding looks the most likely outcome.
My Prediction: Spain 3 Cape Verde 0
Peter’s Prediction: I think a more aggressive display will see Spain winning 4–1, especially if De la Fuente decides to rotate attacking personnel due to injury management for Yamal and Williams. Even without both wingers at full capacity, Spain’s system thrives on width and overloads, meaning full-backs and midfield runners will likely compensate by pushing high and creating numerical superiority in wide zones.
Cape Verde’s compact defensive structure, anchored by Logan Costa if fit enough to start after limited minutes due to ACL recovery may initially frustrate Spain.
However, sustained pressure and Spain’s squad depth, described as “phenomenal” and “brilliant,” should eventually break them down. Cape Verde’s direct attacking moments through Jamiro Monteiro’s creativity may produce a consolation goal, but Spain’s attacking volume should be overwhelming.
My Prediction: Spain 4 Cape Verde 1
Gbenga’s Prediction: An upset draw cannot be fully ruled out, particularly if Spain’s attacking injuries reduce their pace and directness. Without fully fit wingers like Yamal and Williams, Spain may rely too heavily on central combinations, making them easier for Cape Verde to contain in low-block situations. Dani Olmo’s creativity becomes even more vital, but he may find space limited against disciplined defensive lines.
Cape Verde, despite limited players from Europe’s top five leagues, can thrive in this scenario through structure and resilience. Logan Costa’s presence if passed fit adds organisation at the back, while Monteiro’s ability to drop deep and connect play could allow them to relieve pressure.
Livramento’s knack for big moments, already seen in his solo goal against Cameroon, offers a realistic route to scoring. With Spain’s dominance possibly lacking cutting edge, a hard-earned 1–1 draw is a plausible outcome if chances are wasted.
My Prediction: Spain 2 Cape Verde 2
Gloria’s Prediction: For me, this scenario reflects a more conservative Spain, potentially prioritising control over spectacle due to concerns around the fitness of key wingers. De la Fuente may lean more heavily on a structured 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, using Dani Olmo as the central creative hub rather than relying on explosive wide play. This reduces risk but also slightly limits Spain’s attacking explosiveness.
Against a Cape Verde side aiming to become the first African debutants since Ghana in 2006 to reach the knockout stage, Spain’s disciplined midfield should suppress transitions effectively.
Livramento’s occasional runs and Monteiro’s movement between lines may create brief threats, but Spain’s ball retention and defensive organisation should prevent sustained pressure. A professional 2–0 win aligns with Spain’s tournament-management style in group phases.
My Prediction: Spain 2 Cape Verde 0
PREVIOUS MATCHES RECAP
Match Recap: Ivory Coast 1–0 Ecuador
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo produced a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1–0 in Philadelphia, sealing a hard-fought victory in their World Cup return after 12 years away. The substitute delivered a decisive moment in stoppage time, opening his left foot to guide the ball into the corner after a powerful run from Wilfried Singo, a finish that ended Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten run stretching almost two years.
Amad had been a surprise exclusion from Ivory Coast’s starting line-up, but his introduction proved decisive as he delivered the match-winning intervention in a tightly contested Group E encounter that also features Germany and Curacao. The result significantly boosts Ivory Coast’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Ecuador, however, will feel they did enough to at least earn a point after striking the woodwork three times in a frustrating outing. John Yeboah and Alan Minda both hit the bar in the first half, while veteran striker Enner Valencia also struck the post from a tight angle in the second half as the South Americans repeatedly came close without converting.
The game remained evenly balanced, with Ecuador not registering a shot on target until the 68th minute when Gonzalo Plata forced Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana into a save. Ivory Coast also threatened, including a moment early in the second half when Nice forward Elye Wahi hit the bar, underlining how fine the margins were throughout the contest.
Ultimately, despite Ecuador’s defensive record having kept 12 clean sheets in 19 matches under manager Sebastián Beccacece, they were finally breached at the decisive moment. Ivory Coast’s attacking persistence and Amad Diallo’s late brilliance proved the difference in a match where Ecuador had largely succeeded in containing star man Yan Diomande until the final twist.
Match Recap: Sweden 5–1 Tunisia
Alexander Isak marked his first World Cup appearance with a trademark goal as Sweden produced a dominant performance to thrash Tunisia in their opening match of the tournament in Monterrey. The Liverpool forward, who has been hampered by injuries since completing a £125m move to Anfield in September, found the bottom corner with a thumping finish after a powerful run from the left on the half-hour mark.
The move for Isak’s goal was crafted through a sharp link-up with strike partner Viktor Gyökeres, with the Arsenal forward holding off his marker on the halfway line before laying the ball into the path of his fellow Premier League attacker. Sweden had already taken control of the game early on, doubling their advantage after Yasin Ayari rifled a shot into the top corner after just seven minutes, capitalising on sloppy Tunisian defending.
Ayari’s goal was also notable for personal reasons, as the 22-year-old Brighton midfielder who made his senior international debut while on loan at Coventry City in 2023 refused to celebrate after becoming Sweden’s youngest World Cup scorer since Tomas Brolin in 1990, with the strike coming against the country of his father’s birth. Despite Sweden’s early dominance, Tunisia briefly responded when defender Omar Rekik headed in from Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick to reduce the deficit two minutes before half-time.
After the break, Sweden reasserted control as Isak turned provider, first setting up Gyökeres on the hour mark before again creating a goal 24 minutes later when substitute Mattias Svanberg scored just 18 seconds after coming on. That effort went down as the second-fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history since 1966, behind only Richard Morales’ 16-second strike for Uruguay against Senegal in 2002.
Sweden continued to pile on the pressure and finished the contest in emphatic style as Ayari struck again with his second long-range effort, completing a five-star display. His brace and Sweden’s overall dominance sent Graham Potter’s side top of Group F, underlining their intent early in the tournament.
