MIAMI — The global football balance was shaken again in the United States as Cape Verde’s surprise run continued with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay. The tense Group H match at the 2026 World Cup was played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Monday WIB.
The result underlined that debutant status is no barrier at the highest level of the quadrennial tournament. The team nicknamed the Blue Sharks now have two points from two matches. A valuable return after they opened with a goalless stalemate against European powerhouse Spain.
Uruguay, fielding a full-strength side, tried to seize control from the opening minutes. Their midfield, led by Real Madrid star Federico Valverde, kept pushing the ball into the final third. But the disciplined low block set by Cape Verde’s coach repeatedly broke up La Celeste’s attacks.
Kevin Lenini’s free-kick magic
The biggest shock came in the 21st minute through a well-worked set-piece. Cape Verde midfielder Kevin Lenini curled in a free kick that veteran Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera could not reach. The historic strike was Cape Verde’s first ever goal at the World Cup finals.
Uruguay responded only near the end of the first half after raising the tempo. Relentless pressure forced a fatal defensive error from Cape Verde’s back line. In the 43rd minute, Maximiliano Araujo levelled the score after finishing a rebound from a Rodrigo Bentancur header.
Three points seemed to be Uruguay’s for the taking when they moved ahead 2-1 in first-half stoppage time, in the 45+6 minute. Capitalizing on a quick transition from defense to attack, Araujo’s precise pass was calmly finished by Agustin Canobio just before the break.
Second-half tactical response
After the restart, Cape Verde did not panic despite trailing before halftime. They adjusted by pushing their defensive line higher to cut off the supply to Valverde and Manuel Ugarte. The change worked well and left Uruguay’s midfield frustrated.
In the 61st minute, Helio Varela read an errant pass from Uruguay’s defense and pounced on the loose ball. With no hesitation, Varela beat Muslera with a composed finish to make it 2-2.
The tied score forced both teams to fight until the final group-stage matchday. Spain currently lead Group H with four points after beating Saudi Arabia 4-0 in the other fixture.
Midfield battle and match statistics
Uruguay did dominate the game, especially in possession and chance creation. But Cape Verde’s effectiveness on the counterattack became the difference, leaving La Celeste’s back line stretched and uneasy.
Here is a breakdown of the key match statistics:
| Match aspect | Uruguay | Cape Verde |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots (On target) | 14 (6) | 7 (4) |
| Passing accuracy | 85% | 71% |
| Fouls | 11 | 15 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 2 |
Cape Verde coach Bubista said he was proud of his players’ determination. “We knew Uruguay are a team with a strong tradition, but we came here not to be just a participant. This point means a lot for the history of our football,” he said at the post-match press conference.
The qualification picture is now shaping up as one to watch for football fans. In the final round, Cape Verde are set to face Saudi Arabia in Houston, while Uruguay must take on Spain in Guadalajara in a must-win battle for a place in the knockout stage.
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