Debutants Cape Verde continued their remarkable FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on Sunday, fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw against two-time world champions Uruguay and remain unbeaten after two matches.
The Blue Sharks followed up their stunning goalless draw against Spain with another impressive result, recovering from a halftime deficit to claim a valuable point in Miami and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
Cape Verde took a surprise lead in the 21st minute through Kevin Pina, who scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal with a superb long-range free-kick.
After Telmo Arcanjo won a free-kick 34 yards from goal, Pina drilled his effort through a gap in the Uruguay wall and into the bottom corner, sparking celebrations among the travelling supporters.
Uruguay responded strongly before the break and turned the match around with two quick goals. Maxi Araujo equalised in the 44th minute after Rodrigo Bentancur’s header came back off the post, before Agustin Canobbio put the South Americans ahead in first-half stoppage time.
The equaliser arrived in the 61st minute when Helio Varela capitalised on a defensive mix-up and calmly slotted the ball home for his first international goal.
Uruguay dominated much of the remaining play and pushed hard for a winner, but the African debutants defence stood firm. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha and defenders Pico Lopes and Sidny Lopes Cabral played key roles in keeping the South Americans at bay.
The result leaves Cabo Verde with two points from two matches in Group H, level with Uruguay and still firmly in contention for a place in the next round.
“I had dreamed of this, but I never imagined it would happen this way,” Varela said after the match. “Scoring my first goal for the national team on my World Cup debut is incredible. I have no words.”
Coach Bubista praised the determination shown by his players. “Our team was brave throughout and always looked to win the game,” he said. “We have to be pleased with what we achieved today.”
For the first time in tournament history, two goalkeepers aged over 40 started the same World Cup match, with Cabo Verde’s Vozinha lining up against Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera.
