Cape Verde's World Cup debut set for Monday against Spain

Monday. Spain. World Cup debut.

This is it. Cape Verde plays Spain on Monday in the opening match of Group H, the first World Cup match in the nation's history (1). The Blue Sharks are massive underdogs against a Spanish side loaded with talent, but it's 11 against 11 on the grass. Cape Verde's group also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay (2). Get ready. This is real.

Olympic hero: 'Don't underestimate those coming from below'

David Pina, the first Cape Verdean to win an Olympic medal, has a message ahead of Monday's opener: "Don't underestimate those coming from below, because they're the ones hungry to win. I came from nothing and won an Olympic medal for Cape Verde. It's 11 against 11, anything can happen" (3). The boxer knows what it means to carry the flag when nobody gives you a chance. Cape Verde doesn't need Spain's respect, they need to take it.

What Spain brings

Teenage star Lamine Yamal is expected to feature against Cape Verde despite not being at full fitness. Spain rested both Yamal and Nico Williams in their final warm-up against Peru to manage injuries (2). The Spanish squad has made adjustments, but the talent gap is undeniable. Cape Verde won't care about any of that.