Cape Verde has delivered a World Cup debut for the ages by stifling Spain for a 0-0 draw in the opening match for both ‌teams in group H in Atlanta.

European champion Spain controlled the match ‌in all phases but was unable to break down Cape Verde, the fifth lowest ‌ranked team in the field at No. 67.

As a consequence, the team’s delivered the first scoreless draw of this year FIFA World Cup on Monday (local time).

Cape Verde, also known as the Blue Sharks, has goalkeeper Vozinha to largely thank for that. The 40-year-old finished his country’s first World Cup match with seven saves – and wept when the final whistle blew.

Spain’s first premier chance came in the 39th minute, when Marc Cucurella headed the ball down to Ferran Torres, who ‌clanged the ​shot off the crossbar. The rebound came to Mikel Oyarzabal’s area, but his header was tipped over by Vozinha.

Vozinha had already produced a fine reaction save to deny Torres and then turned away Aymeric Laporte’s glancing header.

Fabian Ruiz had another strong chance to open the scoring with a ​header in the box in the 56th minute, but directed it right at Vozinha.

“I’m very proud, very happy not only for myself but all the players, and all Cape Verdeans, we worked very hard to be here,” said Vozinha.

There would now be a party back home at his mother’s house.

“Unfortunately she wasn’t able to come and was sad about it. But this is for all Cape Verdeans,” said Vozinha, who plays for Portuguese second-tier team GD Chaves.

Cape Verde is a string of islands off the West African coast, with a population of just 500,000. It is the smallest nation by land area to quality for a FIFA World Cup.

Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitão Brito said the result meant everything for the tiny nation.

“We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team and we have shown organisation and braveness and this is proof of what our country is about – resilience and to try to overcome hardships,” he said.

With 20 minutes left, Spain brought on teenage sensation ​Lamine ​Yamal for his first appearance since April ​22 due to a hamstring injury. But even he couldn’t get the Spaniards on the scoresheet.

Spain’s last great chance came in the 88th minute, when a cross found Oyarzabal open in the box. His first-time shot was deflected by a sliding Pico Lopes out for a corner kick.

Cape Verde could have stolen a sensational win from a 90th-minute corner as Diney Borges rose unchallenged. But he headed into Unai Simon’s ​arms.

Spain is a powerhouse soccer nation and a World Cup-winner in 2010. At that event, it also lost its opening game – to Switzerland – so Monday’s bombshell result is unlikely to spark panic.

“You fix things by sticking to the same plan, continuing to improve with more finesse,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.

“They are a very organised team. It’s very difficult to create spaces like that, yet we did create some. We lacked a bit of movement to create more, but when it doesn’t want to go in, it doesn’t want to go in.”

For Cape Verde, the knock-out rounds are the target. The other teams in group H, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, were to meet later on Monday (local time).

-with AAP