Spain extended their World Cup goal drought to 2,500 passes and 49 shots without scoring, a streak dating to Alvaro Morata's 11th-minute header against Japan in Qatar's final group match. The reigning European champions drew 0-0 with Cape Verde despite 27 attempts.
Cape Verde's defensive organization set a record: just one foul throughout the entire match, the fewest by any team in a World Cup game since 1966. Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40 years old, made seven saves to preserve the clean sheet, matching Pat Jennings' 10-save benchmark for Northern Ireland against Brazil in 1986.
Striker Mikel Oyarzabal, Euro 2024 final winner, did not touch the ball in the first 30 minutes—the first recorded instance in a World Cup since 1966. Spain next face Iraq on June 23 and Norway on June 26.
Spain's 49-shot, 2,500-pass scoreless streak may shift over/under market expectations and group outcome odds as tournament favorites demonstrate unexpected vulnerability against disciplined defensive structures.