A surprise no one quite expected. After Germany’s rout of Curaçao, Spain were widely expected to do the same to Cape Verde. Instead, after ninety minutes of fatigue and hesitation, the African side’s goal — World Cup debutants — remains untouched. Spanish faces drifting, frustration hanging in the air.
And the question now, across the country: when does Lamine Yamal really come back?
Because the 19 minutes plus stoppage time given to the Barcelona forward created more disruption than everything that came before. Not enough, but enough to show what Spain lack without him — a side otherwise predictable, caught inside its own tactical logic.
Short passing, circulation, possession. Again 74 per cent. Little substance. Even less sharpness in front of goal. A flat opening from the attacking line.
Gavi and Ferran Torres light in weight. Fabián Ruiz subdued. And without the right connections between the lines, even Oyarzabal — sharp in recent friendlies, usually reliable in a Spain shirt — looks isolated at centre-forward, ideas thinning out.
Without a natural striker, Spain struggle in the air. It had not looked like an issue until now; once the build-up stalls, the pattern becomes readable.
None of this should take away from Cape Verde, close to perfection in organisation and intensity across the pitch, taking a fully deserved point. A night to remember for them, and rightly so.
Vozinha stood out, 40 years old, already a name online after key saves from Laporte and Oyarzabal. The crossbar too, denying Ferran Torres.
But beyond the moments — and Spain did have chances, as expected — Cape Verde impressed most for how they held the game, disrupting Spain’s passing rhythm throughout.
Not a good sign for De la Fuente. Without his key players — Yamal and Nico Williams, both recovering from injuries — this was the chance to give rhythm and confidence to others. Especially in attack. A 0–0 like this risks doing the opposite.
And feeding the sense that Spain depend on Lamine.
The Barcelona forward is expected back in the starting XI for the third group match against Bielsa’s Uruguay, though still not fully fit. The tendon injury to his left knee suffered in April still requires time, and rushing him carries its own risks.
Spain, though, already feel it. They cannot really wait.
Cape Verde made that clear. The plan B is not there yet.