Cape Verde - Uruguay finished 2-2 in World Cup Group H at Miami Stadium. The two-time champions dominated the game, but could not find the winner against the World Cup debutants. Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's first goal at the tournament.
Cape Verde - Uruguay finished 2-2 in World Cup Group H at Miami Stadium. The two-time champions dominated the game, but could not find the winner against the World Cup debutants. Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's first goal at the tournament.
Cape Verde struck first in the 21st minute. Kevin Pina drilled a free-kick from more than 30 metres through the wall and past Fernando Muslera, the first World Cup goal in the nation's history.
Uruguay hit back before the break, Maximiliano Araujo levelling after 44 minutes and then teeing up Agustin Canobbio in first-half stoppage time. Cape Verde drew level again just after the hour when Mathias Olivera's loose back pass let substitute Hélio Varela round Muslera and roll into an empty net.
Uruguay dominated the ball, finishing with 66% possession and 16 shots to Cape Verde's 5. The 2026 debutants, a nation of roughly half a million people, are the third-smallest country ever to reach a World Cup. They have now held two former world champions in successive games, having opened with a goalless draw against Spain.
Uruguay, playing in their fifth straight tournament and 15th overall, twice led the run of play but could not secure a winner. Federico Valverde sent a free-kick over the bar in the 90th minute, and Canobbio blazed over in second-half stoppage time.
The result leaves Spain top of Group H on four points after a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Uruguay sit second and Cape Verde third, both on two points, separated only by goals scored. Saudi Arabia prop up the group on one point.
Cape Verde coach Bubista said his side were now openly chasing qualification after points off both Spain and Uruguay. "Considering what we've done with two international-grade teams, I think our focus has to be qualifying," the 56-year-old told reporters. "If we were to think about that, I think it's only legitimate to do so considering what we've done."
Bubista also struck a note of caution before the final group game. "They have to keep their feet on the ground," he said. "We know this will also be a challenging match. Saudi Arabia also has the possibility of qualifying."
Before kick-off he had handed Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa a gift, calling the 70-year-old "a master" whose work he had studied.
Cape Verde face Saudi Arabia on 26 June, knowing a win would secure a last-32 place. Uruguay meet Spain in Guadalajara on the same day, with Bielsa's side still needing a result to be sure of progress. Spain require only a point to advance.
