Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia have announced their starting lineups for a decisive FIFA World Cup Group H encounter that will determine which nation advances to the Round of 32. The two teams meet while Spain and Uruguay contest the group’s other simultaneous fixture.
The Cape Verdean coach has made significant changes for the debutants’ final group game. Paulo and Wagner Pina both earn their first starts of the tournament, coming into the defensive unit. Willy Semedo starts at left midfield, having not featured there in either of the previous two matches. Ryan Mendes retains the captain’s armband, while Livramento returns to lead the line after starting the opening fixture.
The reshuffle is partly enforced. Sidny Lopes Cabral serves a suspension and misses out, while Steven Moreira drops to the bench. In midfield, Deroy Duarte gets the nod ahead of Laros Duarte and Telmo Arcanjo, who started the previous two games. Jamiro Monteiro and Kevin Pina keep their places in central midfield after starting all three group matches.
Saudi Arabia also show rotation from their previous outings. Nawaf Boushal, Sultan Mandash and Mohamed Kanno all come into the starting eleven. Mandash is handed his first minutes of the tournament, while Kanno returns having started the opener and appeared as a substitute in the second game. Ali Lajami is unavailable for selection.
Qualification on the line
The stakes are straightforward for both sides. The winner of this fixture will definitely progress to the knockout stage. Cape Verde could also advance with a draw, but only if Spain defeat Uruguay in the group’s other match.
Saudi Arabia know that only victory will suffice to keep their campaign alive. The side must secure three points to overtake Cape Verde in the standings and reach the Round of 32.
Spain within touching distance
In the parallel fixture, Spain stand close to qualification and need only avoid defeat against Uruguay to top the group. Uruguay must win to avoid an early exit.
Spain’s lineup includes several regular starters, though Alejandro Grimaldo remains among the substitutes. The Bayer Leverkusen defender, who is reportedly close to joining Atlético Madrid, has yet to make his World Cup debut during the tournament.
Group H concludes with both fixtures determining which two nations progress to the Round of 32.