GUADALAJARA, MEXICO — The chants coming down from the stands from the predominantly pro-Spain crowd at the Estadio Akron near the end of La Roja’s 1–0 victory against Uruguay on Friday night were telling.
“Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde!” sang the nearly 50,000 in attendance, who were clearly more interested in the island nation’s clash against Saudi Arabia that was transpiring simultaneously in Houston, TX, than the match they were witnessing live—one that many believed had the potential to be the best of the 2026 World Cup group stage.
