Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAs fans might have expected, Group H's opening fixture contained endless waves of Spanish first half dominance.Perhaps less expected, Spain entered the break at half-time tied 0-0 with Cape Verde, despite a whopping 13 shots and 1.33xG in their favour.Amidst the goal-line scrambles and heroism on display from Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha, one Spain player managed to break a remarkable World Cup record, held for 60 years.Play our free match predictor and win �1kSpain striker Mikel Oyarzabal breaks incredible 60 year World Cup record against Cape Verde in Group HSpain's frontline, with the notable absence of Lamine Yamal, did not have a clinical first half against Cape Verde.Out of the 13 shots that the Spaniards failed to convert in the first half, their striker, Mikel Oyarzabal, did not get involved until just before the 40th minute, breaking a pitiful World Cup record. You may like Spain vs Cape Verde prediction as European champions take on World Cup debutants How to watch Spain vs Cape Verde live streams online and from anywhere as the European champions take on the World Cup debutants. Who is the referee for Spain vs Cape Verde? The Real Sociedad striker enjoyed a prolific La Liga campaign during the 2025/26 season, bagging 15 goals.For his club, he averaged over 37 touches per game in his 34 appearances, but football fans would not have been able to tell in the first half against Cape Verde.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Oyarzabal failed to touch the ball in the first 30 minutes of a World Cup game - the first time since 1966 at the tournament.Getting the ball to the bagsman's feet continued to be an issue, even after he received his first long-awaited touch of the football.The 29-year-old ended the half with two opportunities, both headers, forcing a save from one and sending the other wide of the right post.Despite Spain's difficulties in getting Oyarzabal involved, the first half went the way of Luis De La Fuente's men in every action, except for finding the net.The Spaniards completed well over double the passes of Cape Verde, maintaining 70% possession, and conceded three shots with a combined xG total of 0.04.The game culminated in a disappointing 0-0 draw, so, if Spain are to do better going forward, perhaps getting the ball to their striker before the 30th minute would be a good plan.TOPICSMikel OyarzabalSpainKedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
