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Rodri has taken aim at the tactics of Cape Verde after they held Spain to an incredible draw with the midfielder claiming they “don’t get past midfield”.
The Euro 2024 winners came into the tournament as favourites, but were stunned by the World Cup minnows, who secured a goalless draw. They celebrated it like a win at full-time as the nation, with half a million people, managed to hold the international powerhouse.
Spain by no means peppered the Cape Verde goal as they struggled to turn their possession into clear cut chances. Lamine Yamal was left on the bench following an injury hit period, but even his appearance on 70 minutes couldn’t inspire Spain to a win in their opening game.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: Cape Verde Coach Bubista Targets Upset Against Spain
Rodri is well accustomed to playing in teams that dominate games and have to deal with low blocks. The Manchester City talisman deals with it often in the Premier League, but on this occasion his Spanish side lack the potency in the box.
He told La 1(via Mirror):”It wasn’t meant to be. There’s little to complain about. We knew it was a game that required patience. They sat back and they dropped back very quickly. We couldn’t put it in. We created chances, but couldn’t finish. The positive thing is that they barely created anything against us. We need to improve our finishing.”
Spain are now winless in three meetings with African oppositions in the last three World Cups.
Before the draw with Cape Verde, they lost on penalties to Morocco in the round of 16 in 2022 and were held to a 2-2 draw.
1 Comment
2500 passes against Morocco and Cape Verde in last world cup and yesterday. Yet no goal.
Played Morocco twice (2022 and 2018), drew both;
played Nigeria in 1998, lost that; Cape Verde draw yesterday;
Defeated South Africa in 2010.
Africa teams really don’t fear Spain, Rodri.
40 years old keeper kept clean sheet too on his team’s debut.
Rest Rodri, rest.
Only 1 foul committed against Spain yesterday showed ref even no send una lol.
Unlike SA, Africa supported cape Verde yesterday and were not disappointed.
6 African teams so far; only 2 losses (SA and Tunisia).
Can Senegal rise up against France,
DRC against Portugal,
Ghana against Panama and
Algeria against Argentina?
Why not?
I hope Gusau has seen what his inept NFF leadership that couldn’t persuade eagles to boycott a strike at a critical qualifiers moment see how this world cup experience just increased more competition for them ahead of 2030 qualifiers?
None of the 10 africa teams will like to miss out of the next edition after making several pieces of history.
Fortunately, if we get sense as a football house, 11 teams can come out of africa since Morocco is co-host.