Cape Verde’s Vozinha in motion with Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez on June 21, 2026. — ReutersÂ
MIAMI: Cape Verde put in one other sensible efficiency to carry Uruguay to a 2-2 attract a Group H thriller on Sunday, backing up their goalless draw with Spain of their first ever World Cup match by defying a second footballing powerhouse.
The Blue Sharks surprised the world by holding the European champions goalless on Monday however a good larger upset regarded on the playing cards when Kevin Pina gave the African aspect the lead within the twenty first minute, sparking pandemonium at Miami Stadium.
Objectives from Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio within the area of six minutes simply earlier than the break put Uruguay forward at half-time however substitute Helio Varela pounced on a defensive mistake to degree the scores across the hour mark.
There have been probabilities at each ends because the groups ran themselves into the bottom pushing for a winner in a frenetic end, however in the long run it was the hundreds of Cape Verdeans within the stadium who have been celebrating their second World Cup level.
A disconsolate Uruguay and their massed ranks of followers will transfer on to their last group sport towards Spain with their place within the knockout rounds removed from assured.
Uruguay began the sport seeking to shortly put behind them their disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia however shortly received slowed down in a scrappy dogfight with the tenacious Cape Verdeans.
Midfielder Federico Valverde screwed their greatest early probability throughout Vozinha’s aim and 7 minutes later Uruguay have been behind.
Rodrigo Bentancur illegally stopped Telmo Arcanjo’s surging run by way of midfield and Pina struck a long-range free kick between the 2 males within the wall and previous the diving Fernando Muslera for Cape Verde’s first World Cup aim.
Cape Verde had promised extra attacking intent than they confirmed towards Spain and Muslera was pressured to intervene within the thirty eighth minute to stop Sidny Lopes Cabral’s cross-shot reaching the onrushing Gilson Benchimol.
Araujo’s late aim rescued a degree for Uruguay of their Saudi opener and the left winger received his second World Cup aim within the forty fourth minute, stooping low to go the ball into an empty web after Manuel Ugarte’s header spun again off the publish.
First aim conceded by Vozinha
It was the primary aim conceded on the match by 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who turned a worldwide media sensation after his Participant of the Match show towards Spain.
Araujo turned supplier deep into stoppage time earlier than the break, heading Ugarte’s free kick into the trail of Canobbio, who made no mistake with the end.
It regarded just like the stifling warmth and vitality of the defensive effort was taking its toll on the Cape Verde gamers and coach Bubista made a few modifications within the 58th minute.
Three minutes later, Varela pounced on Mathias Olivera’s ill-advised crossfield move, kneed the ball previous the inexplicably superior Muslera, and steered it into the vacant aim.
Extra frenzied celebrations adopted with the gamers dashing to the Cape Verdean followers within the decrease decks of the stands. The Blue Sharks have been very a lot again within the sport and Jamiro Monteiro fired a shot simply over the bar within the 63rd minute.
The sport opened up as each side chased a winner however Canobbio spurned Uruguay’s greatest probability when performed by way of on aim within the final minute solely to blast his shot over the bar.
