Cape Verde and Uruguay combine for 4 goals in 2-2 draw

Cape Verde and Uruguay split the points as neither side can find a go-ahead goal in 2-2 draw.

In the 21st minute of the match Cape Verde would receive a free kick from 35 yards out.

Kevin Pina would be the man of the moment. Taking the free kick and firing Cape Verde’s first shot on net of the match.

But Pina’s shot ripped through the air, splitting the two-man wall and slotting itself perfectly into the bottom right corner for Cape Verde’s first goal in World Cup history.

Uruguay would not be shaken, however.

In the 44th minute, after 10 shots would miss the target, a loose ball in front of net allowed Maxi Araújo to clean it up with a diving header.

But Uruguay was not finished in the first half.

Agustín Cano would deliver in a headed pass right past Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to give Uruguay the lead right at the death of the first half.

Coming into the second half, neither side was able to find a shot onto net for the first 20 minutes.

That all changed, however, in the 61st minute.

A massive mistake by Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saw Cape Verden Hélio Varela with an empty net in front of him.

Varela, with little time to make a strike, drove the ball right into the empty net to bring the score even.

Both sides would continue to fight for a possible game winner.

And Uruguay would get their chance late.

In the 90+2nd minute, Darwin Núñez would play a pass across the face of net, but no one was able to tap it in.

Cape Verde would mount an attack a few minutes later.

Nuno da Costa would find himself with a great chance to possibly put Cape Verde up right at the end.

But a tackle in the box by Rodrigo Bentancur would knock the ball out for a corner.

And as the full-time whistle sounded, the 2-2 draw would be solidified.

Cape Verde and Uruguay will both play their final match of the group stage at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Cape Verde will look for a win or draw against Saudi Arabia to put themselves in a possible position to advance to the knockout stage.

Uruguay and Spain will play to see who will top Group H.

For Spain a win or draw will do, for Uruguay, a win is required to take the group.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official

About the Author Published Jun 21, 2026

ADRIAN MURILLO SILVA

Adrian Murillo Silva covers both MLB and soccer news for Ball Exclusives. He has previously worked with other news publications such as The Lantern, the independent student voice of Ohio State.