Spain enters the World Cup as a strong favorite following a 30-match unbeaten streak in regulation time. However, the European champions have failed to advance past the round of 16 since winning their only World Cup title in 2010. Their first match is against World Cup debutantes, Cape Verde. This presents a seemingly favorable opening for Spain, though past performance suggests dominance in qualifying rounds doesn’t guarantee tournament success. The team’s lengthy unbeaten run highlights their current form, but the historical hurdle of progressing deep into the competition looms large. The match against Cape Verde will be a key test of Spain’s ability to translate consistent performance into knockout stage victories. This game marks Cape Verde’s first ever appearance in the World Cup finals.