Spain vs Cape Verde: How minnows could pull off biggest World Cup upset of all time

As Cape Verde hole for their historical debut connected football's biggest stage, Sports Mole coordinator Ben Knapton examines whether the Blue Sharks are susceptible of delivering a seismic upset against 1 of the 2026 World Cup's starring contenders, Spain. 

Could Cape Verde propulsion disconnected the biggest World Cup upset of each time?

They were the smallest federation to suffice for the World Cup for 5 weeks, until Curacao overtook them. 

They topped a qualifying radical that included Cameroon, inflicting their lone nonaccomplishment connected them with a 1-0 triumph and they besides bushed Serbia 3-0 successful a friendly. 

Serbia aren't the unit they erstwhile were, but that's inactive a standout effect for Cape Verde.

The set-piece weapon

Cape Verde whitethorn beryllium taking a leafage retired of Arsenal's book, arsenic they emotion a set-piece goal. Around 40% of their goals successful qualifying came from acceptable pieces. 

They tin unit corners and free-kicks and effort to onslaught Spain's centre-backs. 

With each owed respect, there's nary Puyol oregon Sergio Ramos successful the Spain defence, truthful determination could beryllium immoderate joyousness to beryllium had. 

Manager Bubista has been astatine the helm since aboriginal 2020, helium has said that nary substance what absorption Cape Verde face, they volition instrumentality to their individuality and principles. 

We tin expect tons of nonstop attacks. 

When defending successful a 4-4-2, they chiefly effort to battalion the centre of the transportation and don't people the absorption wingers directly.

The Spain challenge

Against a Spain broadside that could person Lamine Yamal starting, which doesn't look to beryllium the case, that would beryllium a immense danger. 

Spain bash person plentifulness of wide threats beyond Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. 

If they tin sorb pressure, triumph the shot backmost and get those runs successful down oregon unit acceptable pieces, they could outpouring a surprise. 

But I'm truly clutching astatine straws there.