Cape Verde continued their fairytale World Cup campaign as the African group of islands claimed a 2-2 draw with two-time winners Uruguay in Miami.
In a real contender for game of the tournament, Cape Verde were at it again in a brave display in the Group H game which saw them take the lead, fall behind – then rescue another point after some horror Uruguay defending.
Kevin Pina set the tone for their bravery by scoring a stunning long-range free-kick that went through the timid two-man Uruguay wall to send Cape Verde into more delirium.
Kevin Pina scored a stunning free-kick for Cape Verde
But a second tournament goal for Maxi Araujo, who then set up Agustin Canobbio’s second seven minutes later, turned the game around just ahead of half-time.
Uruguay’s Maxi Araujo reacts after scoring his team’s first goal
Cape Verde were not deterred and levelled in comical fashion for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Mathias Olivera’s poor square pass saw goalkeeper Fernando Muslera rush out of his goal. Substitute Helio Varela flicked the ball over his head and scored into an empty net.
Uruguay thought they had a winner as Araujo tapped home a scrappy effort but it was ruled out for an offside on the same player. Steven Moreira then made two goal-saving blocks to deny Brian Rodriguez and Rodrigo Bentancur from close range.
A thrilling finale saw Laros Duarte fire straight at the goalkeeper in a massive chance for Cape Verde to win it, before Varela was denied a second goal by a goal-saving challenge from Bentancur.
For Cape Verde, this result means they can go into their final game against Saudi Arabia confident that they can avoid defeat to take them into the round of 32. Uruguay likely need something from their final game against Spain to qualify…
The key moments from Miami…
- 21: GOAL! Pina sends Cape Verde into delirium with a long-range free-kick that goes through the two-man wall.
- 38: Cape Verde miss two quickfire opportunities – Lopes Cabral’s cross is well-saved by Muslera while Gilson Benchimol cannot pick out Telmo Arcanjo for a one on one on the break.
- 44: GOAL! Seconds after Cape Verde try to score from halfway, Araujo levels with a close-range header.
- 45+6: GOAL! Uruguay complete comeback as Canobbio flicks home Araujo’s header.
- 61: GOAL! Uruguay then shoot themselves in the foot as Olivera’s square pass and Muslera’s wild charge out allows Varela to level.
- 63: Jamiro Monteiro nearly turns the game around again as his long-range effort lands on the roof of the net.
- 69: DISALLOWED! Uruguay think they have a scrappy third goal through Araujo but his heel is caught offside as a corner came back to him.
- 90+3: Federico Valverde cannot slide in from Darwin Nunez’s cross, before Canobbio blazes over a one on one.
- 90+5: Duarte nearly wins it for Cape Verde but fires straight at the goalkeeper, before Varela fails to convert big chance on break.
