Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde. Rodri believes Spain needs to improve its efficiency in front of goal.

The first match of Group H in the 2026 World Cup saw Spain, the "La Roja," draw 0-0 with Cape Verde after several shots and threats were cleared by the opposing team in both halves. Spanish captain Rodri stated that the team needs to improve their scoring efficiency in crucial moments in front of goal.

In the 39th minute, Rodri chipped a pass to Cucurella, who headed it across for Ferran Torres to unleash a shot, but the ball struck the post. In the 48th minute of the second half, Pedri chipped a pass into the box, but Oyarzabal's header went wide. Shortly after, Llorente passed to Fabian Ruiz outside the box, who fired a long-range shot, but the ball went over the post.

In the 72nd minute, substitute Yamal passed the ball back to Merino, who received a cross from Llorente and shot, but the ball was caught by Cape Verde goalkeeper Chivonia. In stoppage time of the second half, Pau Cubasi passed the ball to Yamal, who received it outside the penalty area and fired a long-range shot, but it was blocked.

Ultimately, Spain and Cape Verde drew 0-0, with neither side able to secure all three points.

Spanish midfielder Rodri, who plays for Premier League giants Manchester City, said: "Things didn't go as we expected, but there's not much to complain about. We knew it would be a game that required patience. They kept retreating and were very quick to get back into the box, and we just couldn't get the ball into our goal."

“We created chances, but failed to capitalize on them. On the positive side, they created almost no threats. But we must improve our finishing in front of goal. That's how they play; they almost never cross the halfway line. Ultimately, it's our own ability to improve our finishing.”

Furthermore, Spain's head coach, De la Fuente, stated after the match, "Our minds are filled with positive thoughts and a desire to continue improving. Looking at the course of the game and all the favorable situations and opportunities we created, we should have won this match. However, we lacked sufficient sharpness in attack and the ability to close out games. We need to continue to grow and constantly improve the pace of the game; this will be the most important task going forward until the next match."

"Our opponents are a physically strong team. We knew before the match that they would use a deep defensive formation and have many physically gifted players. If we also lacked enough sharpness in the game, then this kind of result was possible. That's football. On this field, no opponent is weak."

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