Another Giant Tested: Uruguay Denied As Cape Verde Deliver Another Statement Performance In FIFA World Cup 2026
Uruguay Vs Cape Verde Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: Uruguay missed a golden opportunity to take control of Group H after being held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Cape Verde at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Marcelo Bielsa's side appeared on course for victory after twice taking the lead through their attacking stars, but the African underdogs refused to back down and produced another spirited display. Cape Verde matched Uruguay's intensity throughout the contest, creating chances on the counterattack and capitalising on defensive lapses to earn a valuable point. The result followed Cape Verde's opening draw against Spain and further boosted their hopes of a historic knockout-stage qualification. For Uruguay, the draw leaves qualification far from secure heading into the final group match, while Cape Verde remain one of the tournament's surprise packages after another resilient performance in Group H.
Cape Verde's Kevin Pina, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens Lynne Sladky/AP Photo
Uruguay's Maxi Araujo, centre, reacts after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Garden Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo
Uruguay's Federico Valverde, center right, and Rodrigo Bentancur celebrate the first goal by their teammate Maxi Araujo during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens Lynne Sladky/AP Photo
Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio (14) is congratulated by a team official after scoring his team's second goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Garden Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo
Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio (14) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo
A general view before the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens AP/Marta Lavandier
Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral, left, and Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio fight for the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match. AP/Lynne Sladky
Cape Verde's Garry Rodrigues (11) and Uruguay's Guillermo Varela (13) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group H match. AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa reacts during the World Cup Group H soccer match AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Referee Espen Eskås shows a yellow carrot Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral (13) during the World Cup Group H soccer match. AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Uruguay's Sebastian Caceres (3) reacts during the World Cup Group H soccer match AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte (5) heads the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens. AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Cape Verde's Kevin Pina, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer AP/Lynne Sladky
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha waves to fans prior to the World Cup Group H soccer match against Uruguay AP/Lynne Sladky
Fans react ahead of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Fans react ahead of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Fans react ahead of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens AP/Lynne Sladky
Cape Verde players warm up ahead of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Uruguay players warm up ahead of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens AP
Cape Verde's Helio Varela (26) scores their second goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cape Verde supporters celebrate their side's second goal as they watch the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at a restaurant at a Cape Verde community in Brockton, Mass. near Boston, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Cape Verde's Helio Varela controls the ball before scoring his side's second goal against Uruguay during the World Cup Group H soccer match in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Uruguay's Federico Valverde (8) reacts after a missed shot at goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Cape Verde players celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match against Uruguay in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio (14) reacts following the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, June 21, 2026 (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio, right, and Cape Verde's Helio Varela shake hands after the World Cup AP/Marta Lavandier
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