In their Group H tie at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Kevin Pina’s free kick and a fortunate goal from Helio Varela helped Cabo Verde get a startling 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
Fans were once again impressed with Cabo Verde’s draw with a former World Cup champion. Coach Bubista’s team rallied from behind to contain Uruguay at Miami Stadium after ending without goals versus Spain.
When Telmo Arcanjo earned a free kick, Cabo Verde surprisingly took the lead. From 34 yards, Kevin Pina kicked the ball and put it through a hole in the wall towards the bottom corner.
But the first two half goals helped Uruguay to rapidly change the game. Following Rodrigo Bentancur’s header off the post, Maxi Araujo scored; Agustín Canobbio scored after Araujo knocked the ball down.
Cabo Verde levelled when Varela capitalised on a defensive error to score. Then, despite Luis Suarez’s encouragement from the sidelines, Uruguay controlled the game but could not get past Cabo Verde’s stout defense headed by Pico Lopes and Sidny Lopes Cabral.
Important number: With Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera and Cabo Verde’s Vozinha, this game saw two goalkeepers in their 40s start in a World Cup game for the first time.
Uruguay goals: Araujo (44), Canobbio (45+6)
Cabo Verde goals: Pina (21), Varela (61)
