Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has called for patience and composure after his side were held to a goalless draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup.
The European champions struggled to find their attacking rhythm against a disciplined Cape Verde side, failing to convert their dominance in possession into clear-cut chances. The result came as a surprise to many, given the significant gap in ranking and tournament experience between both teams.
Despite the disappointing start, De la Fuente expressed confidence in Spain’s ability to challenge for the title, insisting that there is no cause for alarm at this stage of the competition.
“We are completely calm and convinced that there is still a long way to go. As far as we are concerned, we still have seven games ahead of us,” the Spain coach said after the match.
Spain were without the full services of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who was only introduced in the second half after recovering from injury. His arrival immediately injected pace and creativity into the Spanish attack, although Cape Verde’s well-organized defence successfully neutralized his threat by assigning multiple defenders to mark him.
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams was also eased back into action, making a late appearance as Spain searched for a breakthrough.
De la Fuente acknowledged that his side lacked the sharpness and precision expected of a team with World Cup ambitions but maintained that the return of key players would strengthen the squad as the tournament progresses.
The draw extends Spain’s impressive unbeaten run in competitive matches to 32 games, a streak dating back to March 2023. However, the performance revived memories of previous World Cup disappointments, where Spain dominated possession but struggled to convert chances in knockout-stage exits.
The Spanish coach remains optimistic that his team will regain its rhythm and become more effective in front of goal as the competition advances.
Spain will look to secure their first victory of the tournament when they face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday before taking on Uruguay in their final group-stage encounter in Guadalajara.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde’s resilient performance earned widespread praise, with the African debutants proving they can compete against one of world football’s traditional powerhouses on the biggest stage.
