Cape Verde stun Spain with historic goalless draw in Atlanta

World Cup debutants Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha inspired as Spain wasted 27 shots — the greatest result in the islanders' history.

One of the great World Cup upsets unfolded in Atlanta, where tournament debutants Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a goalless draw — and very nearly pulled off something even greater.

Spain laid siege to the Cape Verde goal, racking up 27 shots and forcing seven saves, but they ran into an inspired 40-year-old goalkeeper. Vozinha was the night's hero, denying Mikel Oyarzabal, Aymeric Laporte and Ferran Torres in a remarkable late first-half spell, while Torres also rattled the crossbar with Spain's clearest opening.

The expected-goals tally — over two for Spain, a fraction of one for Cape Verde — tells the story of a contest played almost entirely in one half. Yet football is settled by goals, not chances, and the islanders defended with discipline, courage and no little luck to keep the favourites out.

For Cape Verde, a nation of barely half a million people scattered across a handful of Atlantic islands, a point against one of the world's best teams is comfortably the greatest result in their footballing history. Their players sank to the turf at full time as if they had won the trophy itself.

The draw leaves Group H finely balanced, with Spain already with ground to make up. For African fans, including those watching in Kenya, it was a night to celebrate: one of the continent's smallest nations standing toe-to-toe with the European champions and refusing to blink.