Spain won Euro 2024 with a style of football so complete, so technically superior, so aesthetically satisfying that the Galáctico found himself watching highlights at 2 AM for reasons that had nothing to do with research. Luis de la Fuente built a squad of remarkable depth — notably, no Real Madrid players, which is a very specific kind of tactical statement — and the collective intelligence of his Pedri-Gavi-Rodri-Zubimendi midfield pool is arguably the finest Spain has possessed since the glory era of 2008–2012.
Cape Verde are the Blue Sharks — a small Atlantic island archipelago with a disproportionate footballing culture and a squad built primarily from players in the Portuguese league and various European second tiers. Their qualification was efficient, their organisation is solid, and they will not embarrass themselves. But they face Spain. Even without Yamal. Nico Williams steps into the wide role and is, by himself, a player good enough to decide this match unilaterally.
Without Yamal, Nico Williams takes the width. Dani Olmo provides the number ten creativity. Pedri and Gavi control the tempo from central midfield. Rodri anchors with characteristic authority — back from his own ACL recovery and fully fit. This is a team that possesses eight players who would walk into any other national team at this tournament, and that's before counting Yamal. The depth is genuinely alarming for everyone else in Group H.
Cape Verde have been quietly building tournament experience since their first World Cup in 2006. Their players know each other well and play with a collective discipline that has frustrated stronger opponents in AFCON competition. They'll set up in a low defensive block, look to transition, and hope that Spain — even without Yamal — don't score six. They probably won't. Spain are too good. But Cape Verde will make them work for every single goal.
Nico Williams terrorises the Cape Verde right back for 90 minutes, scoring once and assisting once. Rodri scores from range in the second half because he has earned the right to do that sort of thing. Dani Olmo adds a third from a Gavi through-ball. Spain win 3–0 and the wider tournament conversation immediately turns to whether Yamal will be fit for the knockout rounds. He will be. The couch is confident.
Spain Are the Tournament Favourites and Nobody Has Properly Adjusted to This Yet Because They Keep Looking for the Real Madrid Players. They're not there. De la Fuente explicitly left them out. The squad still contains Pedri, Gavi, Rodri, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Yamal (when fit), and Alejandro Grimaldo. The Galáctico does not require Real Madrid for his assessment. Spain are the favourites.
Lamine Yamal Being Injured Before the Tournament Has Already Generated More Coverage Than Cape Verde's Entire World Cup Qualification Campaign. This is unfortunate. Cape Verde qualified impressively. They deserve context. The context is: Spain 3–0. But the Blue Sharks showed up and competed, and that is worth acknowledging from the couch.
Rodri Will Play a World Cup Final This Summer and Win It, and That Will Complete One of Football's Great Individual Achievement Arcs. Champions League. Euros. Now the World Cup. The player who defines the modern pivot role deserves the full set. The Galáctico is putting this on record in Match 13. Check back after the final.