Image source, Getty Images

What are the chances of lightning striking twice for Cape Verde?

The debutants were handed the hardest possible start to their World Cup story, but thanks to Vozinha's goalkeeping heroics they managed to eke out a point against European champions Spain and now find themselves in a very strong position.

Win either of their next two games - against Uruguay tonight or in their final fixture against Saudi Arabia on Saturday (27 June, 01:00 BST) - and the African island nation will almost certainly qualify for the knockout stages.

How many countries put themselves in that position at their debut World Cup? Other than Curacao, obviously...

An incredibly disciplined performance by Cape Verde was exemplified by the fact they were penalised for only one foul - the fewest by a team in a World Cup match on record since 1966.

That foul, committed by Sidny Lopes Cabral in the first half, was punished with a yellow card.

Has it almost been a week already?

Let's recap how Cape Verde stunned Spain by holding the reigning European champions to a goalless draw on their World Cup debut on Monday.

Talking of goalkeepers...remember that bloke Vozinha?

He is the goalkeeper whose heroics helped Cape Verde earn a draw against Spain, is set to be reunited with his mother ahead of their next game against Uruguay on Sunday.

The 40-year-old told reporters after Monday's player-of-the-match performance that his mum had been unable to attend the World Cup because of the high cost of obtaining a US visa.

But she confirmed to the BBC at her home in Sao Vicente that arrangements had now been made for her to travel to Miami.

"I'm very happy," said Ana Candida Evora.

"This is happening so fast, but I'm quite happy anyway. I'm going to see my son playing in the World Cup, God willing.

"I'm going there to support him, to give him strength and courage. I'm going to give him a hug after the game."

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport

Mexico's Julian Quinones opened the scoring in this World Cup in a 2-0 win over South Africa on 11 June.

The goals have continued to fly in since that opening match in Mexico City.

From Germany's 7-1 rout of debutants Curacao in Houston on 14 June to Canada's 6-0 hammering of Qatar in Vancouver four days later, there has been an avalanche of goals.

One of the reasons for so many goals could be the Adidas 'Trionda' ball used in matches.

It appears as though several goalkeepers have already been caught out by the flight of the ball.

That was evident earlier this week when France captain Kylian Mbappe scored his second goal of the game - and longest of the tournament - by beating Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from 30 yards.

It was one of five strikes from the first round of fixtures that were scored from more than 22 yards out.

Two of those goals were scored by Sweden's Yasin Ayari against Tunisia - from 24.8 yards and 24.3 yards respectively.

Goals from Australia's Connor Metcalfe (25.6 yards against Tunisia) and Ismael Saibari (24.7 yards against Brazil) make up the top five.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, speaking to BBC Sport, has suggested goalkeepers are struggling to get to grips with the ball.

Hart noticed the ball rushing Jordan Pickford quicker than expected when Martin Baturina equalised for Croatia against England on 17 June.

More than 10 goals have been scored from outside the penalty area, not to mention tap-ins after keepers have fumbled swerving shots.

"There are one or two occasions where this football has not necessarily behaved as you would expect it to," former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who is working at the World Cup for BBC Sport, said. "It is something to keep an eye on."

It isn't the first time World Cup balls have caused problems. During the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the 'Jabulani' became well known for its swerve, dip and drift, which was thought to have contributed to several long-range goals.

At the time, England's David James was one of several players to criticise the ball, saying it would "allow extra goals" and "make some goalkeepers look daft".

"The ball is dreadful," said James. "It's horrible, but it's horrible for everyone."

By the end of that tournament, 26 out of the 145 goals scored were from outside the area.

In Saudi Arabia's opening match, their goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais made nine saves against Uruguay.

After the exploits of Cape Verde's Vozinha in their opener against Spain, holding the European champions to a 0-0 draw, and that of Curacao stopper Eloy Room (who made 15 saves against Ecuador), is this World Cup starting to become one for the goalkeepers to shine?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

• Spain have failed to win any of their last four FIFA World Cup games (D3 L1), their joint-worst winless streak in the finals.
• Spain’s last two FIFA World Cup games have ended goalless, but they have never gone three matches without scoring in the competition.
• Saudi Arabia have lost 10 of their 11 FIFA World Cup matches against European opposition. The only exception took place in Washington, a 1-0 win against Belgium in 1994.
• Mohammed Al Owais made nine saves against Uruguay on MD1 with only Mabrouk Zayed versus Spain in 2006 ever recording more in a FIFA World Cup match for Saudi Arabia.

A hot end to the afternoon is forecast in Atlanta for the Spain vs Saudi Arabia game. The temperature at 17:00 BST will hover around 30C, with just a small risk of a shower or thunderstorm.

Saudi Arabia stunned the world when they beat eventual winners Argentina in their first match at the last 2022 tournament in Qatar.

But they could not hold off a second-half onslaught from Uruguay - who ended with 28 shots on goal - as Marcelo Bielsa's South American side earned a point in the Group H encounter.

Can they pull off another shock tonight?

Image source, Getty Images

Spain and Saudi Arabia have met three times before, with one of those being at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

La Roja won that clash 1-0, in the group stage of that edition of the tournament. That is the only competitive meeting between the countries to date, with the nations only going head-to-head in two friendlies, which Spain were victorious in.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia will be looking to record their first-ever point against Spain.

Image source, Getty Images

When he came on against Cape Verde, Spain's Lamine Yamal became the youngest European player to appear at two major tournaments (Euro 2024 & 2026 World Cup), aged 18 years and 337 days today.

The previous record was held by Jude Bellingham, who was 19 years and 145 days old on his first appearance at the 2022 World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

European champions Spain take on Saudi Arabia in Atlanta today, with Group H firmly in the balance and all four teams on one point.

Spain were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Cape Verde in their opener, while Saudi Arabia played out a 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal came off the bench in that match against Cape Verde, after coming back from injury, and could be set for his full World Cup debut in Atlanta.

Image source, Getty Images

World Cup

So which games can we look forward to next?

Here are the upcoming fixtures:

Sunday, 21 June

• Spain v Saudi Arabia (17:00 BST)
• Belgium v Iran (20:00 BST)

• Uruguay v Cape Verde (23:00 BST)

Monday, 22 June

• New Zealand v Egypt (02:00 BST)

That's a fine memory to finish on, including an actual meeting with Pele, hats off to you John.

Right, how about the World Cup finals yet to come?

The current edition of this tournament is already shaping up to be one of the best.

Let's now focus on our immediate future and the next four group games, shall we?

The 2022 World Cup final will always be remembered as the game in which Lionel Messi got his hands on the trophy that had eluded him during his time with the national team and which, until that date, separated his achievements from those of the great Diego Maradona.

Taking place at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 3-3 after extra time, and was quickly regarded as one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.

From Argentina's lightning-fast start to Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick and then Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's match-saving stop in the 120th minute, this final had everything.

Argentina were firmly in control before Mbappe netted a brace in the 80th and 81st minutes to force extra time. Messi then scored again and Mbappe's 118th-minute penalty took the match to penalties.

Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed their spot-kicks, as Argentina won their first World Cup since 1986 and their third overall.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The 2010 World Cup is remembered as the tournament where Spain shed their reputation as one of the best footballing nations never to win it, leaving the Netherlands as proud sole owners of the bridesmaids tag.

Their opponents in the final, yes, you've guessed it, three-time runners-up Netherlands (1974, 1978, 2010).

It also signified a dominant era for Spain, who won the 2008 European Championships and then also followed up their 2010 success with victory at the 2012 Euros as well.

Image source, Getty Images

Four years later, Lionel Messi came agonisingly close to winning the World Cup, but Germany followed up their historic 7-1 dismantling of hosts Brazil in the semi-finals with an extra-time victory over Argentina at the Maracana Stadium.

Mario Gotze scored in the 113th minute to clinch Germany's fourth World Cup, and first since German reunification.

The 2018 World Cup final was won by France, who defeated surprise finalists Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.

It was their first title since 1998 and, in scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium, Kylian Mbappe became only the second teenager to net in a World Cup final (after Pele in 1958).

Image source, Getty Images

Brazil beat Germany 2-0 in Japan to win the 2002 World Cup, and won every single game on their way to the title - this feat has never been matched to date.

Man of the match Ronaldo (R9) scored twice to help Brazil win their fifth World Cup title - the most of any country.

Image source, Getty Images

Four years later, the World Cup final was contested by Italy and France in Berlin. This match is famous for Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi and subsequent red card, in what was the final match of his career.

Despite this, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament, as his nation were beaten 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Italy's success gave them a first World Cup title in 24 years, their fourth overall, but since then have struggled. They finished 26th in 2010 and 22nd in 2014 and have not qualified for the past three finals.

Fortune favours the brave Martin!