World Cup: Spain can't break down Cape Verde's defense; coach says it's not just bad luck

Spain's quest for the 2026 World Cup began with an unexpected 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, a result that left the favored Spanish side frustrated and searching for answers. Despite dominating possession with 65% and unleashing 27 shots, with seven on target, they failed to find the back of the net.

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We controlled the ball, we created chances, but sometimes football reminds you that having a proud history, reputation, and talent is not enough to win a game.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente refused to blame luck for the stalemate. "We controlled the ball, we created chances, but sometimes football reminds you that having a proud history, reputation, and talent is not enough to win a game," he stated. De la Fuente pointed to a critical lack of precision in the final moments, noting the visible disappointment on his players' faces due to high expectations.

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You could feel the anxiety increasing with every passing minute, and when football starts to be driven by emotion rather than reason, problems follow.

What most disappointed the coach was not the outcome itself, but how his team lost composure after missing opportunities. "You could feel the anxiety increasing with every passing minute, and when football starts to be driven by emotion rather than reason, problems follow," he explained. He also made a point to respect Cape Verde's performance, stating, "I also refuse to explain this game by saying Spain was unlucky, because that would be disrespectful to Cape Verde, and they deserved this result. Their goalkeeper played exceptionally well, their defense was full of courage, and they fought as if every second was their last game."

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I also refuse to explain this game by saying Spain was unlucky, because that would be disrespectful to Cape Verde, and they deserved this result. Their goalkeeper played exceptionally well, their defense was full of courage, and they fought as if every second was their last game.

While acknowledging that external concerns about Spain might arise, De la Fuente stressed that this was only the first match. "The championship belongs to those teams that can react correctly under pressure, and now we will see the true resilience of this team," he asserted, calling for a strong response in the upcoming games.

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The championship belongs to those teams that can react correctly under pressure, and now we will see the true resilience of this team.