Debutants Cabo Verde extended their unbeaten run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 22 June, recovering from a half-time deficit to draw 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay at Miami Stadium. The result leaves Uruguay's knockout hopes in serious jeopardy after a second successive draw against lower-ranked opposition.

How the Goals Fell

Cabo Verde struck first when Kevin Pina rifled a free-kick from 34 yards through a gap in the wall and into the bottom corner, after Telmo Arcanjo had won the set-piece. Uruguay turned the game around before the break with two rapid goals: Maxi Araujo nodded home after Rodrigo Bentancur's header cannoned back off the post, and Agustin Canobbio then cushioned Araujo's knock-down past goalkeeper Vozinha.

Cabo Verde were handed their equaliser when Helio Varela capitalised on a defensive mix-up and slotted home to make it 2-2. Uruguay pressed relentlessly in the second half but could not find a way past a defence marshalled with authority by Pico Lopes and Sidny Lopes Cabral — even with the legendary Luis Suarez cheering from the stands.

Varela's World Cup Debut to Remember

Helio Varela, who scored the equaliser on his World Cup debut, was understandably emotional after the final whistle. 'I had dreamed of this, but I never imagined it would happen this way. Scoring my first goal for the national team on my World Cup debut is incredible. I have no words,' he said.

A Historic Goalkeeping Milestone

The match produced a notable piece of football history: Uruguay's veteran stopper Muslera and Cabo Verde's Vozinha both started, making it the first time in World Cup history that two goalkeepers aged 40 or above featured in the same match.

Group H Standings and What Comes Next

Cabo Verde now hold two points in Group H and face Saudi Arabia — beaten 4-0 by Spain earlier the same day — in their final group fixture next Saturday. A victory would be enough to secure a place in the last 32. Coach Bubista was full of praise for his side: 'I want to congratulate the team and all of our people for the way we played, with our hearts. We finished the match under a lot of difficulty, with many players already suffering from cramps. But our team was brave throughout, always looking to win the game, and that makes us very happy,' he said.

Uruguay, by contrast, now face a nervy wait. Having been held 1-1 by Saudi Arabia in their opening game, a second draw means their path to the knockout rounds has narrowed considerably. This is the second successive World Cup in which the South American giants have stuttered in the group stage, raising uncomfortable questions about the squad's depth beyond its experienced core.