Uruguay may need a win against Spain next weekend to avoid being eliminated from the FIFA World Cup group stage for the second year in a row.
Published June 22, 2026
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, scored a late equalizer against Uruguay in Miami to salvage a 2-2 draw and salvage a shocking early stalemate with Spain.
Cape Verde took a surprise lead in the 21st minute when Kevin Pina scored his first World Cup goal from a free kick, but Uruguay scored twice just before half-time through Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio.
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But neither team could score a winner on Sunday, as a mistake by 40-year-old Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera allowed Helio Varela to score Cape Verde’s second goal just after the hour mark.
Cape Verde scored their second point in Group H, raising their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The African island nation will next face Saudi Arabia, who thrashed Spain 4-0 earlier on Sunday, in their final group game on Saturday, with a win guaranteeing them a place in the last 32.
However, following a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, two-time world champions Uruguay’s hopes of progress are in serious jeopardy as they were once again thwarted by inferior opponents.
The South Americans may need to beat European champions Spain next weekend to avoid a second consecutive World Cup group stage exit.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa made two changes to the Saudi Arabian squad, dropping Al Hilal striker Darwin Nuñez to the bench.
Bubista selected three substitutions for the Cape Verde team, all in attacking positions.
Cape Verde started with more aggression than they showed against Spain, but it was still Uruguay who scored the first goal. Federico Valverde’s left-footed shot went off target.
But the tournament debutants pushed ahead when Pina smashed a long-range free-kick through Uruguay’s fragile wall and past Muslera.
Uruguay almost wanted an equalizer in the 44th minute.
Cape Verde’s Sidney López Cabral, under pressure from Rodrigo Bentancur, headed the ball against his own post, and when Araujo ducked and nodded at the rebound, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vosinha was stranded.
In the 6th minute of first-half stoppage time, Canobbio converted Araujo’s header into the goal with a volley, completing a comeback.
Uruguay appeared to be in control early in the second half, but Muslera inexplicably darted wide of goal in the 61st minute and Cape Verde substitute Barrera made the most of the opportunity with a great first touch, slotting the ball into an empty net.
Bosinha, the hero of the Cape Verde-Spain draw, fumbled to allow Araujo to score, but was spared a blush by an offside flag.
Uruguay were on the brink of a very disappointing elimination in the second half when Real Madrid midfielder Valverde took a free kick from just outside the box and over the bar.
