Cape Verde’s set-piece killing move—everyone knows they want to break the deadlock from corners

Everyone knows an upset by Cape Verde is almost impossible, but if you really want to find a possibility, it’s set pieces.

In the qualifiers, about 40% of Cape Verde’s goals come from corners or free kicks. They have a very clear tactic: at all costs, create set pieces in the attacking third, then use their height and ability to challenge and charge in to attack Spain’s back line. Spain’s defense is steady, but whether it’s Laporte or Kuba, neither is the kind of “iron-blooded leader” like Puyol or Ramos. In the scramble, Cape Verde has a chance to find a weakness.

They also have a particular strength: they’re good at keeping the match tight and the tempo under control. Through physical duels and a fouling strategy, they disrupt Spain’s smooth passing and control, making the game fragmented. Once the match tempo is thrown off, Cape Verde’s opportunities come. If they can hold 0-0 in the first half—at most only trailing by one goal—the threat of counterattacks in the second half will remain. Ahead of the match, former Cape Verde international Waderson said he hopes the younger players can enjoy the game.

Although set pieces are Cape Verde’s most threatening weapon, Spain won’t give them many chances. Spain’s possession rate will be extremely high, and it’s hard to say how many corners Cape Verde can win over the full match. If they only get two or three corners, scoring from them is indeed very difficult. But that’s football—one set piece, one moment of being out of position, can change the course of the game. Cape Verde’s goal isn’t just to win, but to leave their own mark in this historic debut.

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