SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Monday’s scoreless draw between Cabo Verde and Spain is one of the most shocking results in World Cup history.
With the draw, Cabo Verde became the second-smallest country in World Cup history to earn a point. It also became just the fourth team to record a point in its World Cup debut since 2000.
“You had a lot of people repping Spain. The environment was really wild because, as we said on SDH (Soccer Down Here) and 92.9 The Game, by maybe 10 minutes remaining in the game, I think the entire stadium had flipped and was rooting for Cabo Verde,” said Soccer Down Here host Madison Crews.
Spain entered the tournament as one of the favorites thanks to its two young stars, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
The 18-year-old Yamal finished second in Ballon d’Or voting last year and became the youngest goal scorer in a UEFA European Championship at age 16. Williams made a name for himself after being named Player of the Match at UEFA Euro 2024.
However, neither player started Monday’s match because of injury concerns. Yamal did not enter until the 71st minute, while Williams came on as a substitute in the 87th minute.
“In big matches, it is all about mentality, and the cream rises to the top. You can be the most talented team, but if you take your foot off the gas for a second, the other team will take advantage,” said Gainbridge Super League analyst Jade Barkett.
Despite the draw, Spanish fans do not need to worry yet.
“I think Spain is a top side. They are still one of the favorites to win the tournament. I am curious about the response on Sunday,” Crews said.
Some people questioned FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup field to 48 teams, but the result helped quiet some of those concerns.
“Cabo Verde in the World Cup shows that every single country matters. The world stage is for everyone regardless of population size,” Barkett said.
After a 1-1 draw between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, all four teams in the group are tied on one point. The top two teams will advance to the knockout stage, along with eight of the best third-place teams from the tournament’s 12 groups.
Cabo Verde will face Uruguay on Sunday at 6 p.m.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Cabo Verde stuns Spain with scoreless draw in World Cup debut
Adam Crooks: The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and it makes superstars out of relatively unknown countries like Cabo Verde. Yesterday, in their nil nil draw against Spain, becoming the second smallest country by population to ever earn a point in the World Cup. That begs the question, though, how many people could identify the Cabo Verde flag? I decided to go downtown to Syracuse to have a little fun with flags. Before we do that, though. I think we need a wardrobe change. That’s better. All right, let’s go.
Man on the street: That one looks like asia I’m going to guess this. (Wrong buzzer noise)
Second man on the street: This is Bolivia. Jamaica. Germany.
Woman on the Steet: I’m going to go with this.
Second man on the street: I think this is some Macedonia.
Third man on the street: I’ll go up here.
Second man on the street: Curacao so is this one. This one?
Fourth man on the street: How about that?
Crooks: which flag belongs to Cabo Verde?
Fifth man on the street: I think it’s that one. You got it right.