It may be of scant consolation to Spain that it is far from the first time they entered a World Cup among the favourites and got an immediate and unpleasant surprise. In 2014, as now, they crossed the Atlantic as reigning European champions. Then they were World Cup holders, too. Their tournament started with a 5-1 evisceration by the Netherlands. An era ended.
A dozen years on, Spain at least have a point on the board. But has a draw ever provided a greater shock in the World Cup? If so, not many. Historically, anyway, draws seemed anathema to Americans but if anything can convert the doubters to the beauty of a stalemate it is Spain 0 Cape Verde 0. The underdogs did not win in Atlanta, but they were the winners. Perhaps Spain’s stumbles will not matter in the eventual reckoning, just as it did not when Germany conceded to Curacao, but this was a chastening start for La Roja. They have a long unbeaten run, a depth of talent, a host of midfielders. They had no goals.
