Spain Player Creates Humiliating WC Record! Becomes First Footballer In The World To...

Last Updated:June 16, 2026, 03:24 IST

Oyarzabal logged a rather unflattering record as he became the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match without touching the ball once.

FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde produced a historic result on Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, holding Spain to a draw to get off the mark.

Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal logged a rather unflattering record as he became the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match without touching the ball once.

Spain, who won the World Cup crown in 2010 South Africa, were widely expected to run riot against the first-timers, but an inspire performance from the Blue Sharks custodian saw the African nation spring a major surprise in the expanded FIFA flagship spectacle in USA, Mexico and Canada.

In their first appearance, Cabo Verde claimed a valuable point in their Group H clash against Spain, delivering the tournament’s biggest early surprise.

Despite Spain dominating the opening period, Cabo Verde did superbly to keep La Roja from scoring, as anticipated given the European side’s momentum.

Some courageous defending saw the newcomers repeatedly repel Spain’s attacks, with goalkeeper Vozinha in outstanding form.

On one occasion, the keeper cleared his lines only for the ball to fall to a Spanish player, but the Cabo Verde custodian managed to tip the effort over the bar.

Ferran Torres clipped the crossbar after Cucurella headed the ball back into the middle, giving Cabo Verde a major scare. Vozinha came up big again towards the end of the first half, blocking a couple of clean strikes.

Luis de la Fuente introduced rising star Lamine Yamal after 70 minutes as Spain intensified their search for a breakthrough, but the goal never arrived. The Blue Sharks went on to make history, securing their first-ever World Cup points at the first time of asking.

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