Here is a look the Spain vs Saudi Arabia player ratings from the big Spanish and European newspapers for their World Cup 2026. The introduction of Lamine Yamal into the starting XI paid rich dividends for Spain as they raced to a 3-0 half time lead, and eventually won 4-0, just days after they had drawn 0-0 against Cape Verde.
Mundo Deportivo player ratings Spain vs Saudi Arabia
Here is a look at the Spanish and European newspaper player ratings for Spain vs Cape Verde following their 0-0 draw. Spain dominated xG and total shots (74% possession and nearly 4x as many shots), but could not find a way past Vozinha in the Cabo Verde goal.
Diario AS Newspaper player ratings Spain vs Cape Verde World Cup 2026
The Spanish newspaper had Chelsea (soon to be Real Madrid) left back Marc Cucurella as the pick of the Spanish players (Cucu was the only player to get 2 stars when the rest had to be content with a 1 star), and thought Fabian Ruiz and Gavi’s performances didn’t even merit a rating.
Arsenal medio Mikel Merino with a single star off the bench, but no player on either side got 3 stars for their performance.
Here is a look at the xG (expected goals) stats from Spain vs Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup. Despite having 27 total shots and 74% ball possession, Spain were unable to score a goal and the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
xG Spain 2.03-0.21 Cape Verde shots map (Actual score ESP 0-0 CPV)
Spain didn’t really create too many high xG chances- their best chance of the game was probably the double opportunity that fell to Ferran Torres (hit crossbar) and Oyarzabal (header saved by Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha) in the 39th minute.
Only 7 of Spain’s 27 total shots were on target.
As stunning as it sounds, despite defending for most of the game, Cape Verde committed only 1 foul in the whole game (Spain committed 10 fouls by comparison)
