Cape Verde have done it again — the African island nation held two-time World Cup winners Uruguay to a 2-2 draw at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, continuing one of the most remarkable stories of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

It was a match that had everything: a stunning long-range free-kick, a dramatic comeback, a howler of a goalkeeping error, a disallowed goal, and a frantic finale that could have gone either way.

Pina fires Cape Verde ahead

Kevin Pina set the tone in the 21st minute, lashing a long-range free-kick straight through Uruguay's timid two-man wall. The goalkeeper had no chance, and Cape Verde's supporters were sent into raptures once more.

Uruguay steadied themselves and struck twice in quick succession either side of half-time. Maxi Araujo headed home from close range in the 44th minute to level, and in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Agustin Canobbio flicked home Araujo's header to put the South Americans in front.

Uruguay self-destruct to gift Varela the leveller

Cape Verde refused to fold. Their reward came in the 61st minute through one of the tournament's most comical moments. Mathias Olivera's careless square pass forced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to rush out wildly from his goal, leaving the net exposed. Substitute Helio Varela calmly flicked the ball over the stranded Muslera and rolled it into an empty net.

Uruguay thought they had retaken the lead when Araujo tapped home a scrappy effort, but the goal was disallowed — Araujo adjudged to be offside as a corner was played back to him. Steven Moreira then produced two outstanding goal-saving blocks to deny Brian Rodriguez and Rodrigo Bentancur from point-blank range.

A breathless finale

The closing stages were frantic. Laros Duarte had a golden opportunity to win it for Cape Verde but fired straight at the goalkeeper. Varela was then denied a second goal by a last-ditch challenge from Bentancur. At the other end, Federico Valverde could not get on the end of Darwin Nunez's cross, and Canobbio blazed over with a one-on-one chance.

The 2-2 result leaves Cape Verde in a strong position ahead of their final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match against Saudi Arabia — a point may well be enough to secure a place in the round of 32. Uruguay, by contrast, likely need a result against Spain in their final group game to keep their qualification hopes alive.