Uruguay 2–2 Cape Verde Islands: islanders rally again to stun a two-time world champion
Cape Verde Islands continued their fairytale World Cup debut by twice fighting back to earn a 2–2 draw with two-time winners Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Kevin Pina put the islanders ahead in the 21st minute with a long-range free-kick — Cape Verde's first goal at a World Cup — before Uruguay turned the game around late in the first half through Maxi Araújo and an Agustín Canobbio strike deep in stoppage time.
Uruguay looked set to hold on until a defensive lapse undid them. Mathias Olivera's poor square pass drew goalkeeper Fernando Muslera out of his goal, and substitute Hélio Varela seized on the loose ball to finish into an empty net in the 61st minute. The result, following their goalless draw with Spain, kept Cape Verde's qualification hopes alive heading into the final round of Group H matches.
Key moments
- •Kevin Pina's 21st-minute long-range free-kick was Cape Verde's first ever World Cup goal.
- •Uruguay struck twice before half-time through Maxi Araújo (44') and Agustín Canobbio (45+6').
- •Substitute Hélio Varela equalised in the 61st minute after Mathias Olivera's poor pass left Fernando Muslera stranded.
- •It was a second remarkable draw for debutants Cape Verde, who had earlier held Spain to a 0–0 draw.
- •A late Araújo goal for Uruguay was disallowed for offside.
Timeline
Match facts
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- 64,003 attendance
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- Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
Match report generated from publicly available sources. Facts are drawn from the sources below.