Soccer
Spain vs. Cabo Verde player ratings: Who shone brightest as debutants hold World Cup favourites?
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Spain's World Cup campaign began with a frustrating 0-0 draw as Cabo Verde produced a defensive masterclass in their first ever World Cup match.
The European champions dominated with 74 percent possession and 27 shots but could not find a way past 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who made seven saves to preserve a famous clean sheet.
Ferran Torres struck the post, Mikel Oyarzabal headed wide from close range, and Aymeric Laporte's header required a full-stretch fingertip save as Spain's wastefulness proved costly.
DAZN News rates each set of players and our player of the match:
Spain vs. Cabo Verde Player of the Match
Vozinha (Cabo Verde)
Vozinha delivered a goalkeeper performance that will define Cabo Verde's World Cup arrival. The veteran made seven saves across the 90 minutes, including a full-stretch fingertip stop to deny Aymeric Laporte's header in first-half stoppage time and keeping out efforts from Ferran Torres, Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, and Marc Cucurella.
At 40 years old, he produced the performance of a lifetime to preserve a famous clean sheet against the European champions.
Spain vs. Cabo Verde Player Ratings
Spain
Unai Simón (6.2): Quiet night until late save from Cabo Verde corner header.
Pau Cubarsí (6.5): Circulated possession patiently but offered little penetration from deep.
Aymeric Laporte (6.9): Header denied by brilliant Vozinha save; drove forward throughout.
Marc Cucurella (6.8): Consistent threat down the left flank; header saved late.
Marcos Llorente (6.4): Provided width but rarely delivered the incisive final ball.
Rodri (6.6): Captained the side; shot saved by Vozinha, another fired wide.
Fabián Ruiz (6.0): Frustrating evening with repeated shots failing to find the target.
Pedri (6.4): Created chances for teammates but booked late for tactical foul.
Gavi (6.1): Struggled to create openings before substitution at seventy-one minutes.
Mikel Oyarzabal (5.6): Squandered multiple clear chances; headers wide from promising positions.
Ferran Torres (6.7): Struck the post and tested Vozinha; closest to breaking deadlock.
Mikel Merino (6.3): Provided energy after introduction but unable to create decisive opening.
Lamine Yamal (7.1): Immediate impact with directness; forced Cabo Verde into double-marking.
Dani Olmo (6.2): Blocked shot at vital moment; limited time to influence attack.
Nico Williams (6.0): Brief eight-minute cameo with minimal time to influence proceedings.
Cabo Verde
Vozinha (9.0): Seven saves including stunning fingertip stop; preserved historic clean sheet.
Roberto Lopes (6.6): Part of resolute defensive unit despite occasional struggles on ball.
Diney Borges (7.7): Outstanding display; cleared everything that entered his defensive zone.
Sidny Lopes Cabral (7.2): Defended aggressively on yellow card; disciplined and committed throughout.
Steven Moreira (6.7): Provided defensive solidity and helped deny Spain space wide.
Laros Duarte (6.3): Screened the defence during sustained possession before being substituted.
Kevin Lenini (6.7): Created Cabo Verde's best chance with shot blocked late on.
Jovane Cabral (6.3): Provided outlet on left; shot from free kick flew over.
Jamiro Monteiro (6.4): Linked defence with attack; helped maintain shape under pressure.
Ryan Mendes (7.0): Captained with leadership; provided focal point and held ball well.
Dailon Livramento (6.3): Attempted audacious halfway-line shot; replaced at sixty-one minutes.
Nuno Da Costa (6.4): Provided aerial presence and counter-attacking outlet in final thirty minutes.
Deroy Duarte (6.4): Maintained midfield screening duties after replacing his brother Laros.
Willy Semedo (6.6): Fresh legs introduced specifically to help contain Lamine Yamal.
João Paulo (6.7): Made key interventions against Yamal after tactical substitution.
Telmo Arcanjo (6.3): Delivered corner that created Cabo Verde's best late chance.
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