Ibiza, in Spain, is famous as a holiday playground for celebrities. The country has many other breathtaking beaches too. But are there sharks there?
So why are sharks coming up before the Spain–Cape Verde match? You may not know it, but the nickname of the football team of the tiny island nation called Cape Verde is the “Blue Sharks.” In their first-ever World Cup match, can they take a bite out of Spain? If Cape Verde are blue sharks, then Spain are surely the blue whale, are they not?
Spain are probably more concerned about themselves than about their opponents, Cape Verde. Who knows what awaits them in their first match of the World Cup? Think back to the last three World Cups.
At the 2014 World Cup, they were blown away 5-1 by the Netherlands. At the next World Cup they drew 3-3 with Portugal. At the 2022 World Cup, they thrashed Costa Rica 7-0. Although the opening match has been unpredictable, one thing can be assumed: a Spain opening match means plenty of goals. Yet at these three World Cups, Spain failed to get past the round of 16 even once.
Getting past that barrier is one thing, but this time Spain are, in many eyes, among the favorites. Since Luis de la Fuente took charge, Spain have played outstanding football and won Euro 2024. Who will paint the picture this time that Andrés Iniesta painted when he brought home the golden trophy at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium for the Iberian peninsula?
Spain star Lamine Yamal
There is uncertainty this time over Lamine Yamal, the player on whom most is riding. After he was injured in a La Liga match in April, Yamal at first thought his World Cup might be over.
It may be his fierce determination to play at the World Cup that has helped him recover ahead of schedule. Although there were doubts about his availability for the group stage at first, de la Fuente said two days ago that Yamal could return as early as the first match. He has also begun training with the squad. Even if he does not start against Cape Verde today, he may be seen for some time.
The injury problems do not end there. Yamal on the right and Nico Williams on the left were Spain’s secret formula at the Euros. Williams is also recovering, and another forward, Víctor Muniain, is likewise on the mend from injury. If all three are unavailable, de la Fuente will have to think of alternatives for the two flanks.
Cape Verde will play at the World Cup for the first time
Given Spain’s squad depth, though, there should be little trouble. Look at the midfield alone — with Rodri, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz, it is among the best at the World Cup. For that reason, players of the quality of Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo or Martín Zubimendi may have to sit on the bench. In goal, Bilbao’s Unai Simón, Arsenal’s David Raya and Barcelona’s Joan García give de la Fuente a sweet headache. In defense, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella provide reliability.
This Spain side ought to blow away the “tiny” Cape Verde. The country, with a population of just over 500,000, came through World Cup qualifying from Africa, leaving behind continental heavyweights such as Cameroon. They fulfilled their World Cup dream thanks to footballers from the diaspora.
Dailan Livramento, who plays in the Portuguese league, is probably their biggest star. But compared with Spain’s star-studded sky, Cape Verde are a faint star twinkling far away. What comparison is there between the second-ranked side and the 67th-ranked side — you tell me!
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report