Cape Verde fights back for 2:2 draw against Uruguay and delivers another World Cup sensation

Uruguay turns it around before the break

In the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, Agustin Canobbio turned the match on its head: After a header assist from Araujo, the attacker was in the perfect spot and scored to make it 2:1 for Uruguay. The South Americans appeared set to go into halftime with the narrow lead.

After the interval, the picture changed. Uruguay, who had only managed a 1:1 draw against Saudi Arabia in their opening match, wanted only to protect the lead and were punished for it. While possession was split 67 to 33 percent in Uruguay's favor, real goal threat rarely materialized.

In the 61st minute, Hélio Varela, who had only just been brought on minutes earlier, pounced on a misplaced pass in the Uruguayan defense. The substitute dribbled around keeper Fernando Muslera, who had rushed far out of his goal, and slotted the ball into the empty net from about 20 meters out to make it 2:2.

Substitute Varela strikes for Cape Verde

In the closing stages, Uruguay pushed with increasing pressure for the winning goal. A shot from Brian Rodriguez was blocked in the 86th minute, a free kick from Fede Valverde sailed just over the bar in the 90th minute, and Canobbio shot wide of the target in the third minute of stoppage time on a quick counter. In the final minutes, Cape Verde also came dangerously close to making it 3:2.

With the point earned, Cape Verde remains unbeaten after the opening 0:0 against Spain and now has two points to its name. Uruguay, also on two points after two draws, has come under pressure in Group H.

Group H standings

In the parallel match, Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4:0 and leads Group H with four points. Saudi Arabia has one point. Uruguay and Spain meet on Saturday (2:00 a.m. CEST) at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan – Uruguay needs at least a point there to keep its chances of advancing to the round of 16 alive.

The encounter also became a personal story. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who had received a video message from his mother at the stadium before kickoff ("Be strong and brave, blue sharks!"), was deployed in the match along with his Uruguayan counterpart Fernando Muslera – meaning that for the first time at a World Cup match, both goalkeepers were over 40 years old. The keeper's mother watched the match live in the stadium.

Personal moments around the game

Around 25,000 Uruguayan supporters turned the stadium into a home game for the 1930 and 1950 world champions. Despite being outnumbered, the Cape Verde fans who had traveled held their own bravely and ultimately celebrated their team's next historic point.

The match against Spain on Saturday thus becomes a final for Uruguay. Should the South Americans lose, they could even be eliminated from the tournament if Saudi Arabia simultaneously defeats Cape Verde. Cape Verde, on the other hand, can secure its spot in the round of 16 with another point.

After the match, there was visible relief on the Cape Verde side over the latest coup. The coach and team had already caused a sensation against Spain; the 2:2 against Uruguay is now further proof that the World Cup newcomer wants to be more than just a points donor at its debut tournament. The front pages on the volcanic island group will remember this evening for a long time.

Outlook on the upcoming group matches

For Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa, however, the situation is becoming increasingly uncomfortable. After the disappointing 1:1 against Saudi Arabia in the opener, the team featuring attacking stars Núñez and Valverde has once again fallen short of expectations. The vulnerability at set pieces and individual defensive errors were once again evident against Cape Verde.

The next matchday therefore promises high drama: Spain can secure first place in the group with a win against Uruguay, while Cape Verde could keep its semifinal dream alive in the parallel match against Saudi Arabia.

Off the pitch, the match was also an event: The atmosphere in the stadium was reminiscent of great World Cup evenings, with both sets of fans creating an ambiance with songs and choreographies. The fact that a fair draw ultimately appeared on the scoreboard was felt by most observers to be a just result.