Last night marked a departure from the previous two evenings when only one Barcelona player participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Spain facing off against Cape Verde, numerous Barça players showcased their talents at the prestigious tournament, although it was a night to forget for La Roja.
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Spain’s match began in earnest, but they found it difficult to overcome a stubborn Cape Verde defense, ultimately resulting in a 0-0 draw.
From Barcelona’s point of view, Ferran Torres, Gavi, Pedri, and Pau Cubarsi were in the starting lineup, while Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo came off the bench.
In addition, Barcelona’s teenage player Hamza Abdelkarim made his World Cup debut, coming on for Egypt in their match against Belgium.
The players who did not partake in the match included Joan Garcia (third-choice goalkeeper for La Roja), Eric Garcia, and Uruguay’s Ronald Araujo, who is currently sidelined due to injury.
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Here’s a recap of how the Barça players performed that night.
Pedri (Spain vs. Cape Verde)
For Spain, last night was a source of frustration. Dominating possession with 75% and registering 27 attempts on goal, they nonetheless failed to find the back of the net against a well-organized Cape Verde team and an exceptional Vozinha.
Pedri was the standout performer among the Barcelona group. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Pedri clearly excelled, recording five key passes, creating one significant opportunity, achieving 1.23 expected assists, and completing 86 of his 98 passes. His performance was exemplary for a controlling midfielder, despite Spain’s forwards squandering the chances he set up.
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As the match progressed, the Canary Islander assumed more responsibility, particularly in the second half, yet it ultimately didn’t translate into tangible results.
Ferran Torres (Spain vs. Cape Verde)
In contrast, Ferran had a frustrating evening. He played for 81 minutes, attempted four shots, achieved 0.89 xG, missed a significant opportunity, and struck the woodwork. His movement was evident, but he couldn’t convert.
Positioning him as a right-sided winger did not aid his performance, and Luis de la Fuente must reconsider how to best utilize him now that Lamine is unavailable.
Gavi (Spain vs. Cape Verde)
Gavi put in considerable effort in a more advanced role before being substituted by Lamine in the 71st minute. His vigor added pressure to Spain’s attack, yet his overall performance was underwhelming.
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The match highlighted that he is not inherently the type of winger capable of overcoming a deep defensive block on his own.
Pau Cubarsi (Spain vs. Cape Verde)
Cubarsi had a relatively quiet night among the starters, which can be a positive trait for a center-back. Spain conceded little, with the teenager appearing composed, mainly engaging in positioning and distribution rather than emergency defending.
Lamine Yamal (Spain vs. Cape Verde)
Lamine was unable to turn the tide for Spain. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric when Lamine Yamal entered the game for the final 20 minutes, with fans eagerly anticipating his influence as Spain’s potential hero.
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The ball seemed to gravitate toward him during his brief appearance, and while he did manage to inject some pace into Spain’s play, he could not deliver the magic fans had hoped for.
Dani Olmo (Spain vs. Cape Verde)
Dani Olmo was brought on to inject fresh energy into the match but lacked the time and space needed to effect significant change.
It was surprising to see Luis de la Fuente delay introducing the Barça playmaker in a match that was clearly in need of someone to break through a deep defense.
Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt vs. Belgium)
Hamza’s brief appearance for Egypt was a modest yet significant moment, marking his World Cup debut. He came onto the pitch in the 76th minute, replacing Mohamed Salah.
Celebrating his World Cup debut. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Despite his limited time on the pitch, the composed 18-year-old forward from Barcelona’s U19 team made an impression on the grand stage. His willingness to run and presence in the box display attributes that could benefit Flick’s squad in future seasons.
Overall, it was a mixed day for Barcelona: Pedri stood out, Ferran struggled, Lamine sought more minutes, and Hamza took his first step into World Cup history. It wasn’t a flawless outing, but it certainly added more narratives to Barça’s journey.