* With 2-2 draw against two-time world champions Uruguay and move closer to knockout qualification ahead of last group match against Saudi Arabia
* A win against Saudi Arabia will secure them a spot in the knockouts, and a draw may be enough to get through as best third-placed team
* Uruguay could need a win over Spain to avoid a second consecutive FIFA World Cup™ group-stage exit
Maravi Express
Cape Verde continued to defy expectations at the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 after holding two-time world champions Uruguay to an entertaining 2-2 draw in Miami last evening, keeping alive hopes of a historic place in the knockout stages.
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A win against Saudi Arabia in the last group match will secure them a spot in the knockouts, and a draw may be enough to get through as best third-placed team while Uruguay could need a win over Spain to avoid a second consecutive FIFA World Cup™ group-stage exit.
After earning a point against Spain in their tournament debut, the Blue Sharks once again showcased their character, moving onto two points in Group H with one match remaining against Saudi Arabia.
Coach Pedro ‘Bubista’ Brito’s side struck first in spectacular fashion midway through the opening half with Kevin Pina etching his name into Cape Verdean football history when he unleashed a thunderous free-kick that beat Fernando Muslera and nestled in the bottom corner — becoming the nation’s first-ever scorer at a FIFA World Cup.
The goal stunned Uruguay and briefly put Cape Verde on course for another famous result after drawing 0-0 with former world Champions Spain in their group opening match.
However, Maxi Araujo levelled with a diving header in the 44th minute after Rodrigo Bentancur’s effort had struck the post, before Agustin Canobbio completed the turnaround in stoppage time to hand La Celeste a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Coach Bubista then introduced Hélio Varela just before the hour mark and the substitute made an immediate impact. Capitalising on a defensive error, Varela raced onto a loose ball and calmly slotted past Muslera with virtually his first touch to restore parity.
With confidence flowing once again, the Blue Sharks almost snatched a famous victory. Jamiro Monteiro fired narrowly over from distance before Laros Duarte tested Muslera late on.
Unbeaten after two matches and having already frustrated Spain and Uruguay, the Blue Sharks head into their final Group H encounter against Saudi Arabia knowing that another positive result could complete one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia were thumped 4-0 by Spain earlier on Sunday and are out of the tournament while the two-time world champions Uruguay’s hopes of progressing are in serious danger after again being held by lower-ranked opposition following their 1-1 draw with the Saudis.—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Czech Republic 1-2 South Africa
Mexico 1-0 South Korea
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada 6-0 Qatar
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
USA 2-1 Australia
Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador
Germany 7-1 Curaçao
Germany 2-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Group F
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Tunisia 0-4 Japan
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Iran 2-2 New Zealand
Beligium 0-0
New Zealand 1-3
Group H
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
Group L
England 4-2 Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama
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