Cape Verde's World Cup 2026 Qualification: The Story Behind the Spain Shock

Cape Verde's historic 0-0 draw with Spain in the intercontinental playoff fixture was the defining moment of their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. Led by captain Ryan Mendes and fueled by midfielder Jamiro Monteiro's relentless energy, the Blue Sharks produced a defensive masterclass to hold the 2010 champions at bay. That result, combined with a dominant group stage performance in African qualifiers, set the stage for a dramatic knockout run. In the second round, they stunned Nigeria with...