Spain held by Cape Verde in 1st major WC shock

Article excerpt

Spain's path to World Cup dominance hit an unexpected snag Monday when the traditional powerhouse couldn't break through against Cape Verde, ranked 64th in the world. The 0-0 draw stands as the tournament's first major upset, a result that upends expectations in the group stage and leaves Spain needing to regroup if it hopes to advance. For Cape Verde, a tiny island nation with limited soccer infrastructure, the result represents a stunning achievement, proof that pedigree and rankings don't guarantee success on soccer's biggest stage.