Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter
Standings provided bySofascore
Cape Verde pulled off a second shock result in as many World Cup games, drawing 2-2 with Uruguay to keep their dreams of an unlikely knockout stage appearance alive in a thriller at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Kevin Pina’s brilliant free kick beat Fernando Muslera for sheer power to stun Marco Bielsa’s side, only for Maxi Araujo to come to his country’s salvation yet again to level just before half time.
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Agustín Canobbio got his side in front in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, only for Muslera to gift Hélio Varela the equalizer springing off his line to miss his clearance and leave the net gaping.
Cape Verde didn’t sit back and although falling just short of a winner shocked the footballing world yet again to go third of Group H, while the two-time winners sit second with it still all to play for heading into the final group stage match.
In a moment that summed up the island nations’ fearless display, midfielder Telmo Arcanjo received a pass out from defence and turned past Araujo superbly before winning a free kick after a 40-yard sprint up the field.
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This was rewarded straight after when Pina’s inspired free kick found the bottom right corner to stun the two-time winners just 21 minutes into a crucial match for Uruguay.
Araujo would then level in the 44th minute, when he tapped home Sidney Cabral’s effort to clear a cross into the penalty area rebounded back off the post and into his path.
The winger would prove crucial to his country’s second, putting them in front, heading Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte’s ball into the box into the path of Canobbio to slot the first-time strike past Vozinha.
However, Bielsa’s side would hit the self-destruct button part-way through the second half when Mathías Olivera’s loose pass across the defence from a throw in was pounced on by substitute Varela.
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The Cape Verdean powered the strike home from 30 yards after Uruguay’s goalkeeper Muslera completely missed his desperate attempt to clear the ball, stunning their opposition for a second time.
The island nation fearlessly pushed on to try and find a winner, as Feredico Valverde sent his 90th-minute free kick over the bar moments before coming within inches of Darwin Nunez’s low ball across goal on the stretch.
Cape Verde came close to a chance to win it only for Nuno Da Costa to have the ball swept away from his feet by Rodrigo Bentancur’s perfectly timed sliding challenge, bringing the curtain down on a World Cup classic.
Uruguay now face the intimidating prospect of facing European champions Spain at 01:00 (BST) on Saturday, in desperate need of a first win in the group stage to fend off the victor of Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia on the same day.
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The battle to reach the round of 32 from Group H will likely prove the most captivating off all 12 groups at the expanded 2026 World Cup, courtesy of another timeless match involving debutants Cape Verde.
For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.
Uruguay – Cabo Verde Live Score
