Cape Verde boosted their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an exciting 2-2 draw against two-time champions Uruguay in a gripping Group H showdown.
Fresh from an impressive draw against Spain in their opening fixture, the Blue Sharks entered the match full of confidence. They sent shockwaves through the opposition when Kevin Pina unleashed a stunning long-range free-kick to score Cape Verde’s first-ever goal in World Cup history, sparking jubilant celebrations from their fans.
Uruguay bounced back with resilience, equalizing through Maximiliano Araújo, who pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area. Just before halftime, AgustÃn Canobbio capped off a well-coordinated team move, orchestrated by Marcelo Bielsa’s side, to give the South American team a 2-1 advantage.
Undeterred, Cape Verde came out strong after the break. Hélio Varela, capitalizing on a defensive blunder, intercepted a wayward pass and finished calmly into an open net to score his first international goal and tie the game once more.
The Blue Sharks continued to push forward, with Jamiro Monteiro nearly delivering a spectacular long-range strike. Uruguay thought they had regained the lead when Araújo found the net again, but the goal was ruled offside after VAR intervention.
Under intense late pressure from La Celeste, Cape Verde’s defense held firm, earning them a crucial point and extending their unbeaten streak to five matches. This result leaves Bubista’s side in an excellent position heading into their final group match against Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Uruguay now faces a high-stakes battle against Spain to avoid an unexpected early exit from the tournament.
