2026 World Cup: Cape Verde draw 2-2 with Uruguay — dream run continues
Cake Verde Tata, despite being a small nation, were effective in the second match of the 2026 World Cup, drawing 2-2 against Uruguay. A free kick by Kevin Pina, followed by Uruge's two goals, and a reserve goal by Helio Varela made the final score 2-2. The draw saw Cape Verde level with Uruguay in Group H with 2 points.
The surprising little nation of Cape Verde is writing a new story with each match in this tournament. After a 0-0 draw with Spain, the team now had another inspiring result on Sunday — rescuing a 2-2 draw against Uruguay.
Although the Uruguese fifteen showed control for most of the early part of the game, it was Cape Verde who scored first. In the 21st minute, Kevin Pina's free kick went over Uruguay's wall and ricocheted off the cheeks of keeper Fernando Muslera into the back of the goal. That goal became the first goal scored by the country in the World Cup.
But Uruge came back soon. That first goal came from Maximilian Araujo's rebound header; Araujo then fought back and assisted Agustin Canobbio for the second goal in first half added time. In this, Uruguway gained significant momentum until the end of the first half.
A decisive change from a substitute changed the situation as the game turned around in the second half. Helio Varela, who came into the game three minutes later, took advantage of a pantip from the Khata Haina defense to intercept Mathias Oliveira's wrong back pass, beat Muslera one-on-one and slot the ball into the empty net.
The game after that was more of Urugue's attack and grit — with 17 shots in total and three times as many tackles in the box as Cape Verde, but the Blue Sharks held their own and managed to salvage a 2-2 scoreline at the end.
A small nation's first direct participation in a World Cup is generally considered a cautionary tale. But Cape Verde are now strong in Group H with two draws — an advantage in a scene with Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Cape Verde in the table.
Spain lead Group H after registering a resounding 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia earlier on Sunday; Both Urugue and Cape Verde are now level on 2 points after two days. Despite Uruguay's slight advantage in goals scored, Uruguay's match against Spain in the final group matches gives Cape Verde some favorable way to finish second with Saudi Arabia.
But in this situation the expectations on Cape Verde did not decrease; Apart from starting as a small country, it looks like it has real chances to rise in Group H.