Spain: Control, pressure, and avoiding early complications

Spain head into the World Cup in strong form, with Luis de la Fuente’s squad looking composed and well-drilled. La Roja won five of their six qualification matches, dropping points only in the closing round. Their recent friendlies also offered encouragement: a rotated side settled for a 1-1 draw against Iraq, before Spain’s preferred lineup comfortably dispatched Peru 3-1 in a performance built on control, patience, and tactical discipline.

One of the biggest talking points before kickoff is the fitness of Spain’s wide attackers. Although Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are back with the squad, De la Fuente is expected to ease them in rather than throw them straight into the starting eleven. As a result, Spain may lean more heavily on midfield structure, relentless pressing, and Pedri’s ability to operate between the lines. Ferran Torres, after an influential role in the warm-up games, could once again become a key attacking figure.

Cape Verde: Historic newcomers ready for football’s biggest challenge

Cape Verde earned their World Cup place through a demanding qualification path, finishing ahead of both Angola and Cameroon in a remarkable achievement for the island nation. Their success has been built on physicality, tactical discipline, and patience — a side comfortable defending deep, crowding midfield areas, and waiting for opportunities to strike on the break.

Preparation results have been encouraging. Cape Verde edged Finland on penalties before recording convincing 3-0 victories over Serbia and Bermuda. However, facing Spain represents a completely different level of intensity. Logan Costa is still working back to full fitness after injury, while much of the attacking burden will fall on the speed of Dajlo Livramento and the team’s effectiveness from set pieces, which accounted for a large share of their goals during qualification.

Probable lineups

Spain: Simón; Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsí, Llorente; Hernández, Pedri, Ruiz; Baena, Torres, Oyarzabal.

Cape Verde: Vozinha; Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Stopira; Duarte, Monteiro, Mendes Rodrigues; Cabral, Livramento, Mendes.

Match facts and head-to-head

Spain won five of six World Cup qualifiers and defeated Peru 3-1 in their final warm-up with a near full-strength side.

Cape Verde arrived at the tournament after impressive 3-0 victories over Serbia and Bermuda, though they previously suffered a 4-2 defeat to Chile.

Mikel Oyarzabal has scored in each of Spain’s last six matches.

Spain have scored more than three goals in regulation time only once across their last 21 World Cup matches, failing to score in four of them.

Spain have not won more than seven corners in regulation time in any of their last 16 World Cup matches.

Spain have received one yellow card or fewer in their last seven World Cup games.

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