Spain Must Find Their Cutting Edge Against Saudi Arabia
Spain headed into the 2026 World Cup as European champions and heavy favourites in their group, but their opener produced one of the tournament’s early surprises — a goalless draw with Cape Verde that left Luis de la Fuente’s squad frustrated and the wider football world raising eyebrows.
According to The Guardian, Spain registered 27 shots against Cape Verde and still could not find the net. Ferran Torres struck the bar and had another clear opportunity saved, while Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves in total and walked away with the man of the match award. It was the kind of afternoon where, as De la Fuente himself put it, the ball simply did not want to go in.
Striker Borja Iglesias was candid when speaking ahead of Sunday’s match with Saudi Arabia.