Cape Verde Coach Reveals the Secret Behind Stopping Spain

Cape Verde produced a major surprise in the World Cup by holding Spain to a goalless draw. After the match, coach Bubista strongly defended his team’s defensive strategy.

In Group H, La Roja dominated possession for long spells but failed to break down Cape Verde’s well-organised defence. Despite having little possession, the team operated as a disciplined and compact unit, denying Spain any clear chances. Their performance showed that even underdogs can compete on equal terms with one of the world’s strongest sides.

After the match, coach Bubista rejected the idea that possession alone defines control of a game. He said, “It is true that Spain had possession for most of the match. But controlling a match is not only about possession. We did it in a different way. Yes, we wanted to counterattack more, but against Spain that is very difficult. So we are satisfied with this result. Today, teams are succeeding through strong defensive organisation, and World Cup statistics show that goals usually come from quick counterattacks or set-pieces. So we had to prepare accordingly.”

He also described the performance as a reflection of Cape Verde’s national character and World Cup ambition. He said, “We always said we want the world to see our country and our team. We showed organisation and courage—that is our identity. Before coming here, we said our goal was to compete at the highest level. We knew difficult situations would come, but we are trying our best to overcome those challenges.”

Goalkeeper Vozinha was named man of the match after making several key saves. However, Bubista stressed that the clean sheet was a collective effort. “He was the best player on the pitch and deserves credit. But defensively, the whole team was outstanding. I am happy he was named man of the match, but our entire team did an excellent job,” he added.