FIFA World Cup 2026: Debutants Cape Verde Continue Dream Run, Hold Uruguay to Thrilling 2-2 Draw

Miami:

Debutants Cape Verde national football team continued their impressive campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by holding two-time champions Uruguay national football team to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Miami Stadium on Sunday.

The result marked Cape Verde’s second consecutive draw in the tournament after they had earlier held Spain national football team in their opening match. With two points from two games, the African side remains firmly in contention for a place in the Round of 32.

Cape Verde made an energetic start and stunned Uruguay in the 21st minute by taking a 1-0 lead. A well-delivered free-kick by Telmo Arcanjo was brilliantly converted by Kevin Pina, who scored Cape Verde’s first-ever goal in FIFA World Cup history.

However, Uruguay responded before the break. Their equaliser came through Maxi Araújo after Rodrigo Bentancur’s header rebounded off the post, allowing Araújo to fire home with a clinical finish.

Uruguay then took a 2-1 lead in stoppage time of the first half. Manuel Ugarte’s cross found Maxi Araújo, whose header appeared to be drifting away before Agustín Canobbio redirected the ball into the net with a smart touch.

With momentum on their side, Uruguay continued to dominate and kept mounting pressure on Cape Verde’s defence. But the newcomers refused to back down.

In the 57th minute, Cape Verde introduced star forward Helio Varela, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Just three minutes later, Varela capitalised on a defensive mistake as Uruguay’s Oliveira accidentally played the ball straight to him. The forward kept his composure, beat the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted home the equaliser to make it 2-2.

Both sides created several opportunities in the closing stages, but neither could find a winner as the contest ended in an entertaining draw.

The result further underlines Cape Verde’s remarkable debut campaign, with the underdogs proving they can compete against some of world football’s biggest names.

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