Cape Verde’s magical World Cup run continues as the Blue Sharks held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, June 21, in Miami.
Kevin Pina’s stunning free kick from distance gave Cape Verde a first World Cup goal and a taste of the lead in the competition for the first time. But as quickly as the dreams of a victory populated the heads of Cape Verde fans, La Celeste snatched the lead ahead of halftime.
Maxi Araujo scored a diving header after a ball bounced off the post. It was his second goal of the World Cup, and he added an assist moments later, with his headed pass finding the foot of Agustin Canobbio, who steered home an easy tap-in to give Uruguay a 2-1 lead on the stroke of halftime.
Watch Uruguay vs. Cape Verde on Fubo (free trial)
Uruguay looked set to take three points, but a collection of mind-boggling errors gave the game new life. Mathias Olivera tried to play a volleyed pass into the middle of the field, but it was mishit, which led to goalkeeper Fernando Muslera wildly leaving his box to chase the ball down well outside the area.
It was a grave decision as Helio Varela side-stepped the veteran goalkeeper and passed the ball into an empty net for the tying goal.
Despite late chances for both, neither team could claim the all-important three points. The draw means both nations are level on two points each in Group H, with second place up for grabs on the final match day.
Here is a recap and highlights of the action from Miami.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde score updates
6 p.m. ET | FS1, Telemundo | Fubo (free trial), Peacock
URU 2 – 2 CPV – Final
Live updates
FINAL: Cape Verde stuns again, draws Uruguay 2-2
The darlings of the World Cup, Cape Verde, hold the two-time World Cup winners, Uruguay, to a 2-2 draw.
A foul on the last kick of the game could have given Cape Verde a dangerous free-kick chance, but the referee blows the whistle to end the game.
90 +2′ Pico Lopes’s challenge puts Agustin Canobbio off
Agustin Canobbio looked set to give Uruguay the all-important goal to secure three points, but Cape Verde’s Pico Lopes covered 15 yards in a flash to contest Canobbio’s breakaway effort, which flew out of bounds.
89′ Federico Valverde’s free kick flies over the crossbar, eight minutes of stoppage time added
Federico Valverde attempts to place the free kick into the top right corner, but his pacey strike flies into the stands in Miami.
The game remains tied as we enter eight minutes of stoppage time.
88′ Uruguay wins a free kick on the edge of the box
Nicolas De La Cruz is fouled just outside of the 18-yard box, and Uruguay has a great chance to take the lead late.
86′ Cape Verde is putting bodies on the line to keep Uruguay from scoring
La Celeste is throwing everything at the Cape Verde goal and Vozinah, but the Blue Sharks’ backline is resilient.
An effort from Maxi Rodriguez is blocked by a diving Sidny Lopes Cabral, and three straight corner kicks are thwarted by Cape Verde.
80′ Nicolas De La Cruz hits one over the bar
A long-range effort from Nicolas De La Cruz goes over the bar. It was always going to take something special to beat Vozinha from that range, but the strike was less than spectacular.
Cape Verde brings on Yannick Semedo for Jamiro Monteiro.
78′ Both Cape Verde, Uruguay look for a match winner
Both sides are seeking a winning goal, and throwing everything at attacks. That could lead to an opportunity on the counterattack, particularly for Cape Verde with Uruguay playing with all 10 outfield players in the Cape Verde half.
68′ Maxi Araujo puts the ball in the net, but offsides rules it out
A corner kick taken by Maxi Araujo gives Uruguay the chance to regain the lead, but an offside call on Araujo rules out a second goal for the Uruguayan midfielder. After his initial service was cleared, his trailing foot remained off the field, which plays him offside, despite a Cape Verde defender playing on the goal line.
Vozinha fumbled a headed effort, and Araujo was there to lift the loose ball over the goalkeeper and in before an offside ruled it out.
Substitutions for both sides. Kevin Pina exits the game for Cape Verde is replaced by Laros Duarte. Uruguay brings on Nicolas De La Cruz for Manuel Ugarte and Darwin Nunez for Federico Vinas.
62′ Jamiro Monteiro’s long-range effort goes just over the bar
The goal has given Cape Verde life, and Jamiro Monteiro fires a long-range strike that almost beats Fernando Muslera, but it goes over the bar and out of play.
It was another poor giveaway of possession from Uruguay, who are shaken by the Cape Verde equalizer.
60′ Goal! Cape Verde ties it, Helio Varela scores on an empty net
Helio Varela has only been on the pitch for minutes, and he’s tied the game for Cape Verde!
Uruguay’s Mathias Olivera plays a careless pass to the middle of the field, and Fernarndo Muslera strangely comes flying off his line to try and win the ball, but Varela dribbles by him and passes into an empty net. It’s his first goal for Cape Verde, and it comes in a big moment.
57′ Cape Verde earns a free kick at the edge of the box
Uruguay’s Mathias Olivera drags the shirt of Cape Verde’s Gilson Benchimol. He let the ball run past him with a body feint, and it caught Olivera out of position. He chose to foul, rather than let Benchimol get a strike on goal.
Jamiro Monteiro’s effort is blocked by the wall, more particularly the head of Federico Vinas.
Both Nuno Da Costa and Helio Varela are subbed on for Cape Verde. Benchimol and Garry Rodrigues come off the pitch.
51′ Sidny Lopes Cabral fires wide from distance
A sustained period of possession for Cape Verde ends with a shot from distance going well wide off the foot of Sidny Lopes Cabral.
There are signs of life from Cape Verde, but poor decision-making in the final third has let them down on a few occasions in this game.
48′ Uruguay maintains momentum, dominating the second half
La Celeste has maintained its momentum, which it built late in the first half. Uruguay has kept possession, and a few cross-field switches have unlocked the Cape Verde defense and created opportunities.
46′ Second half kicks off
Uruguay gets the second half started, ahead 2-1, after a late flurry of goals for La Celeste.
Cape Verde makes a switch, with Deroy Duarte replacing Telmo Arcanjo, who was hurt in the first half.
HALF: Uruguay storms back, leads 2-1 at halftime thanks to Araujo, Canobbio
La Celeste storms back in the final minutes of the first half to go ahead 2-1 at halftime. Goals from Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio for Uruguay outdo Kevin Pina and his wonderstrike for Cape Verde in the first half.
Uruguay had 11 attempts in the first half, two of which were on target and ended in goals. Cape Verde scored with two shots and one goal, the long-range strike from Pina.
Araujo and Canobbio presented a constant threat in the first half for Uruguay, so it’s unsurprising to see them involved on the score sheet.
46′ Goal! Agustin Canobbio puts Uruguay ahead on the stroke of halftime
Agustin Canobbio steers home a headed pass from Maxi Araujo to give Uruguay the lead, 2-1, on the stroke of halftime. His darting run carved open the Cape Verde backline, and he was wide open for a tap-in finish.
It’s the first time this World Cup that Uruguay has gone in front. Araujo now has a goal and an assist in the match.
43′ Goal! Uruguay ties the game, it’s Maxi Araujo again for La Celeste
It’s Maxi Araujo to the rescue for Uruguay once again! A cross into the box is met by the head of Rodrigio Bentancur, and his header goes off the post before Araujo dives in to steer home the Uruguayan equalizer into an empty net.
It’s Araujo’s second goal of the World Cup.
Cape Verde is upset as they had a player down injured, but Uruguay played on, which is allowed as long as a player is not hurt with a head injury.
40′ Maxi Araujo heads over the bar
Uruguay’s hero from game one, Maxi Araújo, sends a free header at the back post over the bar and out for a goal kick.
It’s the eighth shot for La Celeste, none of which have been on target in the first half.
36′ Sidny Lopes Cabral draws a foul, Cape Verde frustrating Uruguay
After a sloppy giveaway allowed Cape Verde to break, Sidny Lopes Cabral is fouled by Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio. Those two have been going at each other for the entire first half.
Lopes Cabral is on a yellow card. Canobbio isn’t yet. Another foul might see his name in the book.
32′ Uruguay is struggling in the final third, searching for an equalizer
Cape Verde has thrown the first punch, and Uruguay is trying to pick itself off the deck. Since the goal from Kevin Pina, the Uruguayans have been on the front foot, dominating possession in the Cape Verde half, but are yet to break down the Blue Sharks’ defense.
Vozinha’s mom celebrates Kevin Pina’s goal for Cape Verde
Vozinha’s mother, Ana, was one of the stories of the buildup to the match. After getting her visa, not only has she seen her son start in the World Cup, but she has also witnessed the first goal in a World Cup in her nation’s history. A wonder strike from Kevin Pina!
19′ GOAL! Cape Verde takes the lead on a stunning free kick
Kevin Pina scores the first World Cup goal for Cape Verde! And it’s a stunner!
Pina bends a free kick with the outside of his foot from over 30 yards away, and it slices by the outstretched hand of Fernando Muslera in the Uruguay goal.
Telmo Aracanjo must have watched a video of the great Johan Cruyff, as he hit a perfect Cruyff turn that led to a marathon run to draw the foul and free kick for Pina to strike, and put Cape Verde ahead.
14′ Federico Valverde drags his shot wide
A quick counterattack for Uruguay ends in La Celeste’s best attempt on goal tonight. Valderde was played in on the left wing, and drags his shot wide of the net. You’d expect him to finish that, but the game remains scoreless.
Uruguay looks close to a breakthrough.
5′ First yellow card of the game given to Sidny Lopes Cabral
Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral is the first name in the book. He gets a yellow card after a high challenge on Rodrigo Bentancur.
The yellow card for Lopes Carbral means he will be suspended for Cape Verde’s final group stage game vs. Saudi Arabia.
1′ Kickoff! Uruguay vs. Cape Verde is underway in Miami
Cape Verde starts with possession and the second World Cup game from Miami Stadium is underway.
Cape Verde lines up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, and Uruguay is in a 4-3-3.
Legendary striker Luis Suarez is in attendance for Uruguay
Luis Suarez, Uruguay’s record goal-scorer (69 goals), is in Miami and at the game. Suarez currently plays for Inter Miami and was not selected as part of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
What’s at stake for Cape Verde, Uruguay in Group H game
With both sides drawing in the first games of group play, both Cape Verde and Uruguay could end the night top of the group table, or more likely, in second place behind Spain, who thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 this afternoon.
A draw would put Uruguay second, due to goals scored, but a win for either side guarantees they finish the day no worse than second place. Spain has a +4 goal differential. Either side would need to best the goal differential of Spain to go top of the table today.
Cape Verde starting XI
Lineup: Vozinha, Pico Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jamiro Monterio, Garry Rodrigues, Telmo Aracanjo, Gilson Benchimol, Ryan Mendes
Uruguay starting XI
Lineup: Fernando Muslera, Sebastián Cáceres, Guillermo Varela, Mathias Olivera, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Valverde, Agustin Canobbio, Maxi Araujo, Juan Manuel Sanabria, Federico Vinas
Cape Verde’s heroic keeper, Vozinha, will have his mother in attendance
Few players have captivated the hearts of soccer fans quite like Cape Verde’s heroic veteran goalkeeper, Vozinha. The 40-year-old made seven saves in the nation’s 0-0 draw against juggernauts Spain, and his performance moved him to tears, in part because his mother wasn’t able to attain a visa to see her son’s World Cup debut.
Cape Verde is among the countries whose citizens must post a $15,000 refundable bond to assure they don’t overstay their visas, according to the Trump Administration. Vozinha said his family couldn’t come up with the money in time for his mother to be there, but a State Department official told CNN that the bond requirement was waived for players’ relatives.
Regardless, when her plight was revealed, the State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. worked together to cut the red tape and help her arrive in Miami on June 19.
What is the weather for Uruguay vs. Cape Verde in Miami?
The forecast calls for a sweltering game, with Accuweather showing 96-degree temperatures two hours prior to kickoff, and weather expected to hover around 90 degrees come the 6 p.m. start time.
While the World Cup has been free of weather impacts so far, South Florida summers are always a threat to produce a storm that can cause a pause or delay in the action. Accuweather gives the Miami Gardens area a 50% chance of storms from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the expected duration of the game.
What time does Uruguay vs Cape Verde start?
Uruguay vs Cape Verde TV channel, live stream
Watch Uruguay-Cape Verde in Spanish live on Peacock
Where is Uruguay vs Cape Verde playing?
The Uruguay vs. Cape Verde World Cup match is at Miami Stadium, also known as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and college football’s Miami Hurricanes.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde announcers
Uruguay vs Cape Verde predictions
World Cup schedule
Here’s a look at today’s World Cup matches. All times Eastern.
Miami World Cup games
All times Eastern.
Miami World Cup tickets
The next World Cup match scheduled for Hard Rock Stadium is Scotland vs. Brazil on Wednesday, June 24. Tickets are available on StubHub starting at $2,242.
Shop for World Cup tickets in Miami
World Cup weather update: Miami forecast
AccuWeather projects the temperature to be 96 degrees with partly sunny skies at kickoff in Miami Gardens, Florida. Expect to have both a heat advisory and an air quality advisory go into effect during the afternoon. A slight threat of storms is present.
Cape Verde soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the Group H schedule for Cape Verde. All times Eastern.
Cape Verde soccer players
The Cape Verde team is playing in its first World Cup. See the full Cape Verde World Cup roster.
Uruguay soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the Group H schedule for Uruguay. All times Eastern.
Uruguay soccer players
The Uruguayan team features 15 players who were part of the team that took part in Qatar 2022. See the full Uruguay World Cup roster.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Uruguay vs Cape Verde recap, highlights: Helio Varela’s goal earns Cape Verde a draw
Reporting by Liam Rooney and Kirkland Crawford, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liam Rooney and Kirkland Crawford, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
