Spain forward breaks remarkable 60 year record against Cape Verde

Vozinha #1 of Cabo Verde clears the ball under pressure from Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium .

As 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.

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Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal breaks incredible 60 year World Cup record against Cape Verde in Group H

Spain are struggling against Cape Verde. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Spain'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.

Oyarzabal has proven for Spain that he can be the difference, but he needs to get the ball to his feet. (Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

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.

The absence of Lamine Yamal's creativity is glaringly apparent, particularly for Mikel Oyarzabal. (Image credit: Getty Images)

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.