Spain enter this World Cup opener as overwhelming favourites, but there are a couple of factors that make this match more interesting than the odds suggest.
The biggest talking point is the fitness of Lamine Yamal. While he is expected to be available, reports suggest he won’t start the match and may only feature for a limited number of minutes. That’s a significant loss because Yamal has become one of Spain’s most dangerous attacking players, capable of creating chances out of nothing.
Spain are also without Fermín López, who misses the tournament through injury. While not as influential as Yamal, Fermín’s energy and ability to arrive late in the box would have given Spain another attacking option.
Even so, Spain remain one of the strongest teams in the competition. Their midfield should dominate possession, with players like Pedri, Rodri, and Dani Olmo expected to control the tempo from the first whistle. Against a side like Cape Verde, Spain are likely to spend long periods camped in the opposition half.
Cape Verde deserve respect, however. They are a disciplined and well-organised team that rarely give opponents easy chances. Their challenge will be maintaining concentration for 90 minutes against a side that constantly moves the ball and creates overloads in wide areas.
I expect Cape Verde to defend deep and make life difficult for Spain early on, but eventually the quality gap should become evident.
Prediction
Spain 3-0 Cape Verde
Without Yamal starting, Spain may need some time to break through, but their depth and technical superiority should be enough to secure a comfortable victory.
Best betting angles
- Spain to Win
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Spain Clean sheet
- Dani Olmo anytime scorer
This feels like a match where Spain dominate possession from start to finish, score before half-time, and gradually pull away as Cape Verde tire in the second half.
