Spain v Cape Verde LIVE: Torres misses sitter as minnows frustrate La Roja – UK Times

The referee brings the first half to an end and it’s a great start for Cape Verde in Atlanta!

The minnows have held the European champions to a draw so far, and they’ll want more of the same as they look for a historic result this evening!

SAVE! Another good stop from Vozinha! Laporte rises highest from the corner and his header looks bound for the far corner, but the ‘keeper gets across to tip it wide!

Into the first of four minutes of added time as Cape Verde look to close out a half they’d be immensely happy with.

CLOSE! Another good chance for Spain as they work it around the Cape Verde box before it’s cut back to Ferran Torres.

The winger looks to wrap his foot around it to find the far corner but he doesn’t get the right connection and it’s too close to Vozinha.

OFF THE BAR! Brilliant stuff from Spain and they should be ahead.

La Roja tear open their opponents courtesy of a lovely clipped diagonal pass from Rodri across to Cucurella.

The left-back is in behind the defence and lays it back off to Torres, who has plenty of goa to aim for but blasts against the bar from five yards out!

From the rebound, Oyarzabal looks to loop in a header but Vozinha gets back up in time to tip it over the bar!

A great save from Vozinha to tip over the effort from distance but the flag had gone up anyway.

At the other end, Lopes Cabral sees an opening but he blasts well wide.

What a moment that would have been! Rodri doesn’t see Livramento behind him and the striker dispossesses him in the centre circle before trying to lob Unai Simon in goal!

A clever thought but it was nowhere near in truth.

Just a timely reminder for Spain there as Duarte clips a great long ball to Mendes, who had got in behind Cucurella.

However, the flag goes up as the Cape Verde captain had strayed offside.

Moments later, Lopes Cabral is scythed down by Torres to give Cape Verde some breathing space. The Benfica man has been impressive so far.

Almost a real opening for Spain as they win it back in the Cape Verde half and suddenly have a three-v-three.

Torres looks to slide it in to Oyarzabal but the striker’s touch is a poor one and the chance goes begging.

Cape Verde are getting some joy after the hydration break, with a lovely switch of play giving Mendes some space before the attack breaks down.

Spain are getting back into the rhythm of things though, with Lopes blocking an effort from Gavi on the edge of the area.

Moments later, the ball pops up kindly for Cucrella but he blasts over from distance.