VOTE: What was the greatest World Cup shock? Cabo Verde stake their claim with stunning Spain draw as veteran goalkeeper Vozinha stars

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World Cup debutants Cabo Verde produced the shock of the 2026 tournament so far by holding Spain to a goalless draw thanks to a heroic defensive display in Atlanta.

'They gave everything for me' - Why Cabo Verde hero Vozinha cried after Spain draw

Video credit: SNTV

It was an almighty upset, given Spain's status as reigning European champions and one of the pre-tournament favourites to claim the trophy this summer.

Try as they might, Luis de la Fuente’s star-studded cast of players could not find a way past the well-drilled Africans.

The unexpected hero of the day was 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who plays his club football in the Portuguese second tier for Chaves.

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Vozinha made seven saves during the contest to keep the likes of Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal at bay on a remarkable day for the small island nation, becoming the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut in the process, per Opta.

With a population of around 500,000, Cabo Verde is the third-least populous nation to reach a World Cup.

Not only that, but there is a yawning chasm between the two sides in the FIFA rankings, with Spain sitting second and Cabo Verde ranked 67th.

That begs the question of where the result ranks among the World Cup’s greatest shocks.

Although Cabo Verde could only draw, rather than sneaking a win, their ability to take a point against the European champions came as a huge surprise – not least because of the manner in which they achieved it.

According to Opta, Spain ended the game with an xG of 2.29 from 27 shots, with Vozinha seeing off the seven that reached the target.

Since 1966, the only goalkeeper aged 40 or older to make more saves in a World Cup match was Northern Ireland’s Pat Jennings, who made 10 against Brazil in 1986 on his 41st birthday.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was not overly concerned when reflecting on the shared points after the game.

”It was not to be. There’s little to reproach ourselves for. We knew it would be a game needing patience. They sat back and we were not able to convert the chances we made,” he said.

”It’s difficult against such a physical team who defend deep. They created nothing, but we need to improve in front of goal.”

Time will tell what the setback means for Spain, who will still be fancied to progress from a group that also includes Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

After all, Spain’s triumphant run to 2010 World Cup glory began with defeat to Switzerland.

And just four years ago, eventual champions Argentina got off to a bad start by losing to Saudi Arabia.

‘We are very confident’ - De la Fuente embraces Spain’s status among World Cup favourites

Video credit: SNTV

Vote for the World Cup's greatest shock

So where does Cabo Verde’s heroic defensive masterclass rank among the World Cup’s greatest shock results?

International football’s biggest competition has been littered with surprises over its near century-long history.

From the USA stunning England in 1950 to Senegal downing France in 2002, North Korea taking down Italy in 1966 to Argentina falling against Cameroon in the 1990 opener, everyone has a shock result of choice.

What is it for you? Here is our shortlist of 15 big upsets.

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