Vozinha (front), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, reacts after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
by Sportswriter Cao Jianjie
MIAMI, June 21 (Xinhua) -- World Cup debutant Cabo Verde held two-time world champion Uruguay to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, showing its shock opening draw with 2010 winner Spain was no accident.
Kevin Pina scored Cabo Verde's first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute, and Helio Varela struck a second-half equalizer to salvage a 2-2 draw.
Pina, a 29-year-old midfielder who plays in the Russian league, stood over a free kick from 25 yards out, with few expecting him to shoot from that distance. But he struck the ball powerfully past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to put his team ahead.
The goal was another milestone for the island country of half a million people after it earned its first World Cup point by holding the reigning European champion to a goalless draw on their opener.
Watched by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Uruguay got back into the game in the 44th minute as Maxi Araujo dived in to head home his second goal of the tournament, after Sidny Lopes Cabral had risen to clear the ball only for his header to come back off his own post.
Uruguay led 2-1 at the end of the first half after a superb cross from Araujo found Agustin Canobbio, who diverted it past Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who had pulled off seven fine saves against Spain.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper had his mother watching from a suite after she was unable to attend the stunning draw against Spain because she could not get a visa.
"I have never lost faith in this team and my son," said Ana Candida Evora, who arrived in Miami on Friday and reunited with her son over the weekend.
It was also the first World Cup match with two starting goalkeepers aged over 40. Muslera, who made his 18th World Cup appearance, turned 40 on June 16.
Varela drew Cabo Verde level in the 61st minute as he slotted the ball into an empty net following a misplaced pass in Uruguay's half with Muslera far away.
"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," Varela said.
Cape Verde coach Bubista looked calm, saying, "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," he said. "But our team was brave throughout, always looking to win the game, and that make us very happy."
As one of the biggest surprises of the expanded 48-team tournament, Cabo Verde has a legitimate chance of reaching the knockout stage.
Spain tops Group H with four points, while Uruguay and Cabo Verde each have two points from two draws. Saudi Arabia sits at the bottom with one point from its draw with Uruguay.
Spain will play its last group match against Uruguay, while Cabo Verde will take on Saudi Arabia. ■
Players of Cape Verde react after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Vozinha, goalkeeper of Cape Verde, gestures after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Vozinha (R), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, waves his hand after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Players of Cape Verde celebrate after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Bubista, head coach of Cape Verde, applauds after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Vozinha (front C), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, waves his hand after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Vozinha (front), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, celebrates with his teammate Ryan Mendes during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Agustin Canobbio (1st R) of Uruguay celebrates scoring with his teammates during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Players of Cape Verde defend a free kick during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Players of Uruguay react after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Vozinha (L), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, celebrates after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Agustin Canobbio (L) of Uruguay vies with Diney Borges of Cape Verde during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Players of Uruguay react after the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Brian Rodriguez (R) of Uruguay vies with Steven Moreira of Cape Verde during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Vozinha (2nd L), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, talks with his teammates during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Guillermo Varela (L) of Uruguay vies with Helio Varela (R) of Cape Verde during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Agustin Canobbio (L) of Uruguay competes during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Bubista (2nd R), head coach of Cape Verde, speaks during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Agustin Canobbio (top) of Uruguay vies with Sidny Lopes Cabral of Cape Verde during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Vozinha (R), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, makes a save during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Players of Cape Verde gather during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Vozinha (bottom), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, makes a save during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Ryan Mendes (top L) of Cape Verde fights for a head ball during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Players of Cape Verde pose for photos before the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Vozinha (1st R), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, reacts during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Kevin Pina (1st R) of Cape Verde celebrates scoring with his teammates during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Kevin Pina (1st R) of Cape Verde celebrates scoring with his teammates during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Players of Uruguay pose for photos before the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Kevin Pina (4th R) of Cape Verde celebrates scoring with his teammates during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Helio Varela (R) of Cape Verde celebrates scoring with his teammate during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Vozinha (R), goalkeeper of Cape Verde, vies with Federico Valverde of Uruguay during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
