World Cup 2026: Defiant Cape Verde hold two-time winner Uruguay to 2-2 draw in Miami thriller, Stats, facts

World Cup debutants Cape Verde continued their dream run, fighting back to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against two-time champions Uruguay in Miami.

Cape Verde stunned Uruguay early when Kevin Pina scored their first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute with a powerful free-kick. But Uruguay responded before half-time, turning the game around through Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

The island nation refused to surrender. Just after the hour mark, a costly mistake from veteran Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera allowed Helio Varela to score the equaliser and secure a historic point for Cape Verde.

The result keeps Cape Verde’s knockout-stage dream alive, with two points in Group H and a final match against Saudi Arabia where victory could send them through.

For Uruguay, the pressure is rising. After another disappointing draw following their 1-1 result against Saudi Arabia, the South American giants may now need to defeat European champions Spain to avoid another early World Cup exit.

Cape Verde arrived as newcomers. They are leaving a mark — proving that courage, belief, and fearless football can challenge even the biggest names.

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde draw, match stats, facts, records

Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026

Cape Verde are the first debutant country to go undefeated in their first two FIFA World Cup matches (D2) since Senegal in 2002 (W1 D1).

Cape Verde have conceded only five fouls in the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, the fewest across the opening two matches of any team in a single tournament on record (since 1966).

Maxi Araújo has become the first player to score in each of Uruguay’s first two matches at a single FIFA World Cup since Oscar Miguez achieved the feat in 1954 against Czechoslovakia and Scotland. He is also the first player to be involved in three goals across Uruguay’s opening two matches of a single FIFA World Cup on record (since 1966).

Cape Verde have become the first team on record (since 1966) to score their first-ever FIFA World Cup goal from a direct free kick. Kevin Pina’s strike was scored from 32 metres out, the longest-range goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far.

Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera (40 years and 5 days) and Cabo Verde’s Vozinha (40 years and 18 days) have become the first pair of 40-year-old players to appear in the same FIFA World Cup match.

Stats Via Opta