Nigeria Still the Only African Team to Defeat Spain at the FIFA World Cup

Nigeria’s memorable victory over Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup remains a unique achievement in African football history, as the Super Eagles are still the only African nation to defeat La Roja in a World Cup match after 90 minutes.

That remarkable feat was brought back into focus following Spain’s goalless draw against Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result extended Spain’s unbeaten record against African opposition at the tournament, with one notable exception; Nigeria.

Since first facing an African side at the World Cup in 1986, Spain have played seven matches against teams from the continent. They recorded victories over Algeria, South Africa, and Tunisia, while drawing against Morocco on two occasions and Cape Verde in 2026.

However, one result continues to stand out from the rest.

At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Nigeria produced one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history to defeat Spain 3-2 in Nantes.

Despite falling behind early and facing a Spanish side packed with world-class talent, the Super Eagles fought back through goals from Mutiu Adepoju and an own goal from Spain’s Andoni Zubizarreta and a late strike from Sunday Oliseh which sealed a famous victory.

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The win was celebrated across Africa and remains one of Nigeria’s most iconic World Cup moments. Although both teams were eventually eliminated before reaching the latter stages of the competition, the result cemented Nigeria’s reputation as one of Africa’s most exciting football nations.

Since then, other African teams have come close to achieving the same feat. Morocco earned a 2-2 draw against Spain at the 2018 World Cup in Russia before holding them to a goalless draw in Qatar four years later. Cape Verde also frustrated the European giants with a 0-0 draw at the 2026 tournament.

Yet none have managed what Nigeria accomplished in France nearly three decades ago; defeating Spain over the course of 90 minutes at football’s biggest stage.

Spain’s World Cup Record Against African Teams: