Spain’s World Cup began with a goalless draw against Cape Verde in Chattanooga, but the more immediate rupture was healed before kick-off. On the same Monday, Real Madrid confirmed the €55 million capture of left-back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, ensuring that for the first time in the tournament’s history, a Madrid player would not be absent from La Roja’s squad. The 27-year-old, whose long, curly hair and “penguin” celebration have made him a divisive figure, was the only Madrid representative in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man list after Dani Carvajal’s disappointing season and Raúl Asencio’s exclusion. Cucurella created the most dangerous chances of a sterile first half, pushing forward aggressively, but Spain could not unlock Cape Verde’s compact defence and goalkeeper Vozinha.

Viewed from the Spain camp, the transfer was a “huge step” that Cucurella said he did not expect. Chelsea’s failure to qualify for European competition next season and a direct conversation with the returning Madrid coach José Mourinho accelerated a deal completed in a day and a half. “When a team like Madrid comes calling, it’s very hard to say no,” Cucurella told reporters, adding that finalising the move before the World Cup was crucial. The former Barcelona youth product, once a target of Stamford Bridge jeers, has reversed his fortunes to become one of Europe’s most effective full-backs, valued for his intensity, pressing and transition work — attributes Mourinho prizes.

Madrid’s shopping spree did not stop there. Bernardo Silva arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City, bringing the midfield control and footballing intelligence that has been missing since Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić departed. Ibrahima Konaté, also out of contract at Liverpool, signed until 2030 to reinforce a centre-back position repeatedly stretched by injuries to Éder Militão and David Alaba. Analysts in London note that Silva’s deep-lying playmaking alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni could restore balance, while Konaté, despite a season affected by personal tragedy, offers coverage against elite strikers. In Stuttgart, the consequences are being felt acutely: the arrivals, plus a potential €100 million move for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, leave no room for VfB’s Angelo Stiller or Chema Andrés, whose €13.5 million buy-back clause now looks unlikely to be triggered.

De la Fuente, speaking before Sunday’s second group match against Saudi Arabia, dismissed any notion that the transfer had unsettled his squad. “If it is good news for Cucurella, it is good news for the national team,” he said, calling the defender a “constant value” he has known since the player was 17. Cucurella himself was philosophical about the opening stalemate: “It’s good that this happened in the first match, because in knockout games you go home.” Spain, the European champions, now depend on him and Nico Williams to ignite a campaign that must deliver a Euro-World Cup double.

Madrid’s rebuild may not be finished. Reports from the Spanish capital suggest Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries is close, while Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez have been linked, the latter more a political gesture than a genuine pursuit. With most of the squad still at the World Cup, Mourinho will not have his full group until later in the summer, but the early moves have already reshaped the European champions’ competitive profile and ended a curious statistical drought for the club at the global tournament.