Uruguay and Cape Verde played out a 2-2 draw in their second Group H match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday morning at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Uruguay started the match on the front foot, but Cape Verde, adopting the same cautious approach they used against Spain, managed to keep their opponents at bay. In the 21st minute, the African side made history when Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. His powerful long-range free kick found the net after taking advantage of a poorly organized defensive wall, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera unable to prevent the breakthrough.
After conceding, Uruguay gradually took control of possession and eventually found an equalizer in the 44th minute. Federico Valverde’s cross from the right flank was mishandled by Cape Verde defender Sidney Lopes Cabral, and the ball bounced off the post before falling kindly to Maxi Araújo, who headed home from close range.
Uruguay maintained their pressure and completed the turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time. Manuel Ugarte delivered a dangerous ball into the box, and after Araújo’s header created confusion in the penalty area, Agustín Canobbio capitalized on the defensive lapse to score Uruguay’s second goal. Marcelo Bielsa’s men therefore went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
The South Americans entered the second half looking to secure their first victory of the tournament, but their lead was wiped out in the 61st minute. Helio Varela, who had been on the pitch for only two minutes, took full advantage of a misplaced back pass from Matías Olivera. The substitute intercepted the ball, rounded the advancing Muslera, and calmly slotted into the empty net to restore parity for Cape Verde.
Uruguay pushed forward in search of a winning goal during the remainder of the match, but Cape Verde’s disciplined and compact defensive structure frustrated their efforts. As a result, the game ended level, leaving Uruguay still without a win after two matches.
At the end of the second round of fixtures in Group H, Spain sit at the top of the standings with four points. Cape Verde and Uruguay are level on two points, while Saudi Arabia remain bottom of the group with one point.
