Spain stumble to 0–0 draw with Cape Verde in World Cup opener

Spain 0–0 Cape Verde, Merino says don't panic

Your team fired blanks against World Cup debutants on Tuesday. Spain 0–0 Cape Verde in Atlanta, and the European champions could not find a way through (2) (4). Luis de la Fuente left Lamine Yamal on the bench, starting Rodri, Gavi, and Unai Simon. It did not click.

Mikel Merino faced the questions afterwards: "If there's one thing that's not good for us, it is for there to be panic" (2). The Arsenal midfielder also said he has been managing his workload heading into the tournament (4).

France beat Senegal 3–1, Deschamps called you favourites

The team Didier Deschamps labelled the "grand favourite" stumbled. France, meanwhile, opened with a 3–1 win over Senegal on Tuesday (5). That result only sharpens the contrast. Opta's projections after the France win point to Les Bleus as the tournament's top side on numbers (5). You go into the next match with ground to make up already.

Nico Paz tells Real Madrid he wants to stay at Como

A clean answer from the academy product. Nico Paz has told Real Madrid he does not want a return this summer and will stay at Como 1907, where Cesc Fàbregas is his coach (3). Como's ownership group includes Dennis Wise, and José Mourinho had also shown interest. Real Madrid will not get the midfielder back for now.

Real Madrid take the Negreira case to UEFA

The fallout from the Negreira affair is not done. Real Madrid have formally referred the case to UEFA, escalating the long-running dispute with Barcelona (1). No outcome yet, but the move keeps the pressure on Barça at the European level.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood online is grim and a little grimly funny. One fan dug up the stat that Japan beat Spain at Qatar 2022 with 18% possession, a World Cup record for a winning team. Cape Verde just kept a clean sheet with zero World Cup pedigree. The thread is already doing the rounds.