Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said he is still convinced La Roja will go far at the World Cup despite failing to break down debutants Cape Verde in a 0-0 draw to open their tournament.

The European champions badly missed the spark of Lamine Yamal, who was deemed only fit enough for a second-half cameo on his return from injury, as they struggled to even create chances against a side ranked 67th in the world.

“We are completely calm, convinced that there is a long way to go. As we see it, we have seven games left,” said De la Fuente.

“We lacked freshness and precision.”

Spain are now 32 competitive games unbeaten, stretching back to March 2023.

But the lacklustre nature of the performance brought back painful memories of their meek exits to Russia and Morocco on penalties at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups when they dominated possession but failed to score.

“Tomorrow I’ll bring up that magic number,” added De la Fuente of his side’s long unbeaten run.

“We have to stick to our philosophy and get key players back that will play a crucial role as the tournament progresses.”

Yamal’s introduction immediately injected life into the Spain attack and lifted the majority of the nearly 70,000 crowd who were desperate to see the Barcelona superstar.

Yet, even he was snuffed out as Cape Verde doubled and at times even trebled up on the 18-year-old.

After an injury-plagued season at Athletic Bilbao, Nico Williams was also kept in reserve until the 87th minute.

“They are two game-changing players, but the ones we’ve had on the pitch are too. They bring different qualities to the table,” said De la Fuente.

“They will provide new options and the team will continue to grow. What we need to do is find our rhythm and the decisive touch required for this type of competition, which I have no doubt we will acquire.

“Lamine showed exactly what he’s capable of the moment he stepped onto the pitch, forcing the opposition to change their approach, but that was the amount of playing time we felt was right for him.

“Once we regain our chemistry and competitive edge, the team will be even better.”

Spain return to Atlanta for their second game against Saudi Arabia on Sunday before taking on Uruguay in Guadalajara.



AFP

Spain dominated the match from the first minute until the last, but they couldn’t find a way to get the ball past Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper stopped everything the Spaniards sent him.

Things got so desperate at the end of the match that Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente took Yamine Lamal off the bench to try to get a goal against a solid Cape Verde defense.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has been the highest-rated player on the pitch at half-time against Spain.

Details later…

President Bola Tinubu has urged judges and judicial officials to ensure that justice is swiftly dispensed to Nigerians.

Tinubu urged them to ensure that courts are the last hope of the common Nigerian.

He spoke on Monday, during the commissioning of the newly constructed Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, building to mark his third year anniversary.


Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, said, “My Lords, as you move into the complex, Nigerians ask one thing of you, let Justice be swift and pure, let it be blind to status and pride.

“Let the common man feel that this court is truly his last hope.

“May this edifice stand as a symbol of our democracy, may it deliver judgments that unite and strengthen our nation.

“The renewed hope agenda is not a slogan but it’s an action. We said that we will restore the dignity of our institutions, and we are doing it for the judiciary, health, education, roads, power, and brick by brick,, we are rebuilding Nigeria.

“These projects align with our renewed hope agenda, which strives towards improved governance and the rule of law by carrying out judicial reforms, structuring the judiciary to ensure a just society.

“I’m therefore pleased by the concerted efforts made by the Minister of the FCT to domesticate this policy trust of constructing roads and befitting residences and providing solid support for legal education.”

The president assured that he would ensure that judges and judicial officers work in a deserving environment.

“My Lords, the Abuja division carries immense dockets, from election petitions to trials; the eyes of Nigerians are on you, and you deserve an environment that matches your responsibilities. It is your right and we will do more,” he added.