11 resultsfor “Spain Cape Verde World Cup upset”
upset. Only one African team has ever beaten Spain at a World Cup: Nigeria, who won 3-2 in the group stage in 1998. ![Spain vs Cape Verde
World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain’s earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde
Spain from Praia, Cape Verde, on June 15, 2026 [Danilson Sequeira/Reuters] ### Saudi Arabia deny Uruguay victory Saudi Arabia looked set for another [famous World Cup upset
upset of the tournament. Spain – the absolute frontrunners for the World Cup – stumbled at their first hurdle, being held to a [shock goalless draw](/sports/2026/6/15/spain-held-to-shock-draw-by-cape-verde-in-their-world-cup-opener) by Cape Verde
upset at Qatar 2022](/news/2022/11/22/saudi-arabia-beat-argentina-with-inspired-second-half-performance) and they’ll likely be battling Cape Verde for third place. **Favourites for automatic qualification:** Spain and Uruguay ## **Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador** While the average FIFA ranking
Cup in Australia, many of the [minnows pulled off upsets](/sports/2023/8/9/more-teams-more-upsets-how-minnows-challenged-giants-at-womens-world-cup). Tokyo 2020 Olympic champions Canada, former world champions Germany and heavyweights Brazil all crashed out in the group stage while Jamaica, South Africa
Cup believing they can again surprise the football world. The Saudis produced one of the [greatest upsets in tournament history](/sports/2026/5/25/what-are-the-biggest-fifa-world-cup-upsets-in-history) by defeating eventual champions Argentina in 2022, a result that reinforced their reputation
upset.  ## What else is shaping the World Cup? The first round of matches has already produced memorable moments, surprise results and stories beyond the scorelines. Here are some
Cape Verde should provide no great threat at the group stage.  Yamal has reportedly recovered from a hamstring injury
Spain, represents a new generation of talent and could became one of the sport's biggest stars of the future. Eyes will inevitably also be on Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo
Cape Verde, that means an Argentina vs Spain clash in the round of 32 is not out of the equation. While facing the defending champions in their opening game is a high-profile start, Algerian