LIVE UPDATES: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde World Cup 2026 – Follow every action, every goal and every celebration

It all ends level ⚖️#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2026

FULL-TIME: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

It ends goalless after a dramatic finish, with Cape Verde producing a heroic defensive display and coming agonisingly close to a famous late winner, while Spain will feel they did everything except find the breakthrough.

90+6′ The referee brings the match to a close. Spain’s late pressure is not enough to break Cape Verde’s resistance as the match ends 0-0.

90+5′ Lamine Yamal reacts quickly to a rebound on the edge of the box and fires towards goal, but his effort is blocked by a wall of defenders. Spain win another corner as they keep pushing to the end.

90+3′ Pedri goes into the book after a heavy challenge, and the referee has no hesitation in showing a yellow card.

90′ Massive chance for Cape Verde! Diney Borges rises brilliantly to meet a corner and directs a powerful header towards the bottom corner, but the goalkeeper produces a stunning save to deny what would have been a historic winner.

90′ Kevin Lenini tries his luck from distance, but his effort is blocked. Cape Verde win a corner as they sense a late opportunity.

88′ Spain come close again as Mikel Oyarzabal gets on the end of a loose ball inside the box and strikes first time, but his effort is inadvertently blocked by a defender and goes behind for a corner.

84′ João Paulo looks to create something for Cape Verde with a chipped pass into the box, but Unai Simón reads it perfectly and comes out to claim it cleanly.

83′ Marc Cucurella finds space inside the box after a lofted pass and manages to get a low shot away, but it lacks power and Vozinha makes a comfortable save.

81′ Spain make another change as Ferran Torres is replaced by Dani Olmo, adding fresh attacking options as they push for a late winner.

78′ Marc Cucurella attempts to take on his marker in a dangerous area, but Cape Verde hold firm and manage to clear the danger.

77′ Rodri tries to pick out a teammate with a delicate chip into the box, but Cape Verde read it well and intercept before any real threat develops.

76′ Cape Verde make another change as João Paulo comes on to replace Sidny Lopes Cabral, adding fresh energy in midfield.

75′ Ferran Torres gets into a promising shooting position from mid-range, but his effort is bravely blocked by a Cape Verde defender.

73′ Huge chance goes begging for Spain! Mikel Merino meets a great pass inside the box and fires low towards goal, but the Cape Verde goalkeeper reacts brilliantly to make the save and keep the score level.

72′ Spain make another change as Gavi is replaced by Lamine Yamal, adding fresh attacking energy as they push for a breakthrough.

71′ A midfield change for Spain sees Mikel Merino introduced in place of Fabian Ruiz, offering fresh legs as Luis de la Fuente looks to tilt the balance.

67′ Spain are enjoying sustained control of possession, moving the ball confidently and patiently as they continue to probe for openings in the Cape Verde defensive structure.

65′ Aymeric Laporte attempts to pick out Mikel Oyarzabal with a through ball, but overhits his pass and the ball runs out for a Cape Verde goal kick.

64′ Marc Cucurella looks to create something from the edge of the box, but Cape Verde stay organised at the back and clear the danger once again.

62′ Cape Verde make a second change as Dailon Livramento is replaced by Nuno Da Costa in attack.

61′ Concern for Cape Verde as Jovane Cabral is unable to continue due to injury. Willy Semedo comes on as his replacement.

59′ Ferran Torres whips a dangerous ball into the box, but Cape Verde’s defence reacts well to intercept. Spain still keep the pressure on and win a corner kick.

58′ Aymeric Laporte tries his luck from distance, meeting the ball cleanly after a loose pass, but his effort rises well over the crossbar.

56′ Cape Verde nearly carve out a dangerous opening as Steven Moreira threads a smart pass through to Dailon Livramento, but Unai Simón reads it perfectly and comes off his line to snuff out the danger.

52′ Spain continue to threaten around the Cape Verde penalty area. Pedri drives forward before teeing up Fabian Ruiz on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s effort flies well over the crossbar.

50′ Pedri delivers another dangerous ball into the area looking for Mikel Oyarzabal, but a Cape Verde defender reacts quickly to clear the danger before the striker can connect.

48′ So close for Spain! Fabian Ruiz latches onto an excellent pass and unleashes a powerful long-range strike with plenty of space ahead of him. The effort whistles just over the crossbar.

46′ The second half is underway. Spain restart play as they look to turn their dominance into a breakthrough, while Cape Verde continue their search for a famous World Cup result.

HALF-TIME: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

HALF-TIME: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

The referee brings the first half to an end with the scores level at 0-0. Spain have dominated possession and created the better opportunities, most notably Ferran Torres’ effort that crashed against the crossbar, but Cape Verde have defended resolutely to keep the European champions at bay.

We will be back in 15 minutes for all the second-half action.

45+4′ Aymeric Laporte rises highest to meet the corner kick and directs a header towards the top left corner. The effort lacks power, however, and Vozinha gathers comfortably. Spain win another corner before the half-time whistle sounds.

45+2′ Rodri delivers a cross into the penalty area from the flank, but it is blocked behind by a Cape Verde defender. Spain earn a corner kick as they push for a breakthrough before the break.

45′ There will be four minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

42′ Laros Duarte shows good skill to beat his marker, but his momentum carries him too far and the ball runs out of play.

41′ Another opportunity for Spain. Fabian Ruiz reacts quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his first-time effort sails comfortably over the crossbar.

39′ Spain come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Ferran Torres meets the ball first time from close range and rattles the crossbar. The rebound falls kindly for Mikel Oyarzabal, whose header is brilliantly directed towards the top corner, but Vozinha produces an excellent save to keep Cape Verde level. Spain earn a corner kick after the stop.

37′ Marcos Llorente is penalised for catching his opponent instead of the ball, and Cape Verde are awarded a free kick.

35′ A loose ball drops invitingly for Dailon Livramento outside the area. The Cape Verde forward goes for goal from distance, but his effort lacks accuracy and drifts well wide of the left post.

42′ Laros Duarte shows good skill to beat his marker, but his momentum carries him too far and the ball runs out of play.

41′ Another opportunity for Spain. Fabian Ruiz reacts quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his first-time effort sails comfortably over the crossbar.

39′ Spain come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Ferran Torres meets the ball first time from close range and rattles the crossbar. The rebound falls kindly for Mikel Oyarzabal, whose header is brilliantly directed towards the top corner, but Vozinha produces an excellent save to keep Cape Verde level. Spain earn a corner kick after the stop.

37′ Marcos Llorente is penalised for catching his opponent instead of the ball, and Cape Verde are awarded a free kick.

35′ A loose ball drops invitingly for Dailon Livramento outside the area. The Cape Verde forward goes for goal from distance, but his effort lacks accuracy and drifts well wide of the left post.

33′ Ryan Mendes is caught offside once again as Cape Verde struggle to time their attacking runs against Spain’s disciplined defensive line.

30′ Pedri spots Fabian Ruiz making a dangerous run and attempts a defence splitting pass that could have sent him through on goal. A last ditch intervention from a Cape Verde defender prevents the opportunity from developing.

29′ Gavi picks up possession on the edge of the area and fires towards goal, but his effort is blocked by a defender before it can trouble Vozinha.

27′ Steven Moreira produces a promising solo run for Cape Verde and manages to get a shot away, but a Spanish defender steps in with a crucial block at the edge of the box.

22′ Ryan Mendes breaks beyond the Spanish back line, but the assistant referee’s flag quickly goes up for offside.

20′ An unusual opportunity falls to Pau Cubarsi in a central position. The Spain defender strikes powerfully from distance, but his effort crashes into a teammate and the chance goes begging.

17′ Marcos Llorente tries to unlock the Cape Verde defence with a dangerous delivery from the edge of the area, but the Blue Sharks remain alert and clear the danger.

15′ Spain register another effort on goal. Pedri strikes from distance, sending a low shot towards the centre of the goal, but Vozinha is well positioned to make a comfortable save.

12′ Mikel Oyarzabal finds space in a promising attacking position after meeting a well delivered cross, but a timely interception from the Cape Verde defence prevents the Spain forward from getting an attempt away.

10′ Spain continue to apply pressure. Ferran Torres looks to pick out Marcos Llorente inside the penalty area, but the pass is cut out. Spain win a corner kick.

8′ Pedri delivers an inviting ball into the penalty area, but a Cape Verde defender reads the danger well and intercepts before Spain can capitalise.

5′ Aymeric Laporte launches an excellent long pass towards Ferran Torres. The Spanish attacker attempts to drive forward but is unable to beat his marker as the move comes to an end.

1′ KICK-OFF: We are underway in this Group H encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Cape Verde get the match started as they look to make history against one of the tournament favourites, Spain.

Pre-Match: The players have emerged from the tunnel and are out on the pitch. Kick-off is moments away as an excited atmosphere builds inside the stadium.

Match Official: Today’s World Cup fixture will be officiated by Adham Makhadmeh.

We are just an hour from kick-off. Who wins this one?

Spain are hopeful that both Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will be available after missing the final warm-up fixture against Peru.

Cape Verde head into the contest with no reported injury concerns and are expected to have a full squad available.

Team News

Yamal mode: activated. 🇪🇸#FIFAWorldCup

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— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2026

Spain will look to Mikel Oyarzabal for inspiration after an impressive qualifying campaign in which he registered six goals and four assists. Notably, four of his six goals came after the hour mark.

Cape Verde’s attacking hopes rest heavily on Dailon Livramento, who scored in four of his last five World Cup qualifying appearances. Three of those goals opened the scoring, underlining his importance to the Blue Sharks.

Players to Watch

Spain have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 14 of their last 17 matches.

Six of Spain’s seven goals in 2026 have arrived before the 60-minute mark.

Cape Verde have suffered just one defeat in 13 matches against European opponents, winning five and drawing seven.

Each of Cape Verde’s last five matches has featured at least one first-half goal.

Key Stats

This will be the first meeting between Spain and Cape Verde in international football.

Spain’s only World Cup defeat against African opposition came against Nigeria in 1998.

Head to Head

Spain enter the tournament carrying the weight of expectation after being identified by Opta’s pre-tournament supercomputer as the most likely winners of the 2026 World Cup, with a 16 per cent chance of lifting the trophy. The reigning European champions undoubtedly possess the quality to go deep into the competition, but recent World Cup history presents a challenge they must overcome.

Since their triumph in 2010, Spain have failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in each of their last three World Cup appearances. That title remains the only occasion they have reached the semi-finals across their previous 14 participations in the tournament. Adding to those concerns, Luis de la Fuente’s side have managed just one victory in their last six World Cup matches, recording four draws and one defeat during that period.

For Cape Verde, this marks a historic milestone as they prepare for their first-ever World Cup match. The island nation has steadily progressed since becoming a FIFA member, and qualification for the 2026 tournament represents the reward for years of development and persistence.

Their ambition now is to emulate Ghana’s achievement of 2006 by becoming the first African nation since then to reach the knockout rounds on their World Cup debut. Recent results suggest they are capable of competing. Cape Verde won six of their seven World Cup qualifying matches while drawing the other, and they also recorded two convincing 3-0 victories in their pre tournament friendlies.

Match Preview and Current Form

Stay with Africasoccer throughout the match for live updates, goals, key incidents and post-match reaction from this World Cup 2026 encounter.

While La Roja arrive with expectations of challenging for the biggest prize in world football, Cape Verde will be determined to make a statement on the grandest stage and continue their remarkable rise in international football.

One of the tournament favourites begins its campaign today as Spain takes on World Cup debutants Cape Verde in a fascinating encounter.

Good afternoon and welcome to Africasoccer’s live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup clash between Spain and Cape Verde.