Luis de la Fuente's Spain national football team stumbled in their World Cup 2026 debut against debutants Cape Verde. The draw dampened the country's high hopes of winning a second World Cup title. Although the draw does not dismiss the Spanish candidacy, it does mean a cold shower that is difficult but necessary to overcome before the next match against Saudi Arabia. History tends to tip the balance when it comes to deciding between the potential teams to lift the most prestigious trophy in world football. Spain, Germany, Argentina, France, England, and Brazil meet the mentioned conditions and inevitably form and will form part of the hall of fame of international football. The demand increases directly proportional to the status. Cristiano Ronaldo's emergence 20 years ago elevated the status of what was until then a minor Portuguese selection, and the success of the Portuguese striker has put his team in the spotlight in every tournament they have played. Now, with a squad full of stars like European champions with PSG, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes, or the Mallorcan Samu Costa, the demands on the Portuguese team have reached the point of asking for their first World Cup title. Portugal's poor start to the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo was a great disappointment, but it is a continuation of their poor performance in the World Cups over the last two decades. Since they finished fourth in Germany in 2006, Portugal have won six of their 17 World Cup matches, and those were against North Korea, Ghana, Morocco, Uruguay, and Switzerland. During that time, they have had teams full of talent, but they have not gone beyond the quarterfinals, losing to Morocco in that phase in 2022, in addition to suffering a surprising elimination in the group stage in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The victories of the other favorites make the situation even more complicated, which, if it is not worrying in terms of results, it is in terms of play. The solidity and punch of Germany, France, Argentina, and England contrast grossly with the Iberian performances in the first day of the group stage. As time goes on, Spain must improve their performance to maintain their options of lifting the trophy. The next day will be crucial for the Spain national football team, who must win to keep their candidacy alive. The pressure is high, but Luis de la Fuente and his team must find a way to overcome it and lead the Spain national football team to victory. Spanish football history is full of moments of glory, and this team must find a way to add another chapter to that history. With the help of players like Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu Fati, the Spain national football team can achieve great things in this World Cup. But to do so, they must improve their performance and find a way to overcome their rivals. The fight for the trophy is tough, but the Spain national football team is ready to face the challenge.