Despite Lamine Yamal’s comeback
©IMAGO
Embarrassment during Lamine Yamal’s comeback: Favorite Spain suffered their first big World Cup surprise and stumbled into the tournament with a 0-0 draw against outsiders Cape Verde. In front of 67,640 fans in Atlanta, the European champions were superior, but almost completely harmless in front of the goal. The young star Yamal, who was injured for a long time and came on as a late substitute, also did not score. Four years ago, Spain started the World Cup with a 7-0 win against Costa Rica.
Spain went into the first game as one of the big favorites, but also with some weak statistics. Since winning the title in 2010, the team has never made it past the round of 16. The opening balance looks even worse: out of 16 opening games at a World Cup, the Spaniards only won five.
Coach Luis de la Fuente had warned about Cape Verde before the game and spoke of a fight. This was given to his players who found it difficult to bravely and directly find their way to the goal. Instead there was a cross-pass festival that was too much for even de la Fuente.
During the first drinking break, which only made limited sense in Atlanta with the roof closed, the 64-year-old gestured wildly in the circle of his players and found clear words. Things got better at the end of the first half. Ferran Torres (39th) hit the crossbar after a pass from Marc Cucurella, and Vozinha saved Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot. The Cape Verde goalkeeper was now warm and immediately thwarted the next high-class goal from Torres (45′) and Aymeric Laporte (45’+2).
Spain dominated the midfield, the ball, determined the rhythm of the game – but they lacked offensive courage. The fans didn’t care at first. They accompanied the uneventfulness on the pitch with La Ola and simply celebrated themselves. Even after an hour of Spanish helplessness, de la Fuente still made no move to change.
Cucurella was repeatedly looked for on the left side with high balls, but Cape Verde’s defense understood this at some point. The professionals from the country with the ten islands certainly tried to counterattack occasionally. But ultimately there was simply a lack of quality against the Spanish defense.
When Yamal put on the Spanish jersey during the second drinking break, the relief in the stands was almost palpable. The Boy Wonder should sort it out. De la Fuente seemed much calmer in the circle of players, while Yamal received final instructions before being substituted – and huge cheers broke out. Even every touch of the ball by Yamal was initially celebrated loudly. But it was still not enough for the Spaniards to win.