MIAMI: Cape Verde produced another brilliant performance to hold Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in a Group H thriller on Sunday, confirming their goalless draw against Spain in their first-ever World Cup match by challenging a second-place football power.
The Blue Sharks stunned the world by keeping the European champions scoreless on Monday, but an even bigger upset was in store when Kevin Pina put the African side ahead in the 21st minute, sparking pandemonium at Miami Stadium.
Goals from Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio in the space of six minutes just before the break gave Uruguay a half-time lead, but substitute Helio Varela capitalized on a defensive error to level the score around the hour mark.
There were chances on both sides as the teams raced to the winner in a frenetic finale, but in the end it was the thousands of Cape Verdeans in the stadium celebrating their second World Cup point.
A disconsolate Uruguay and their many supporters will move on to their final group match against Spain with a place in the round of 16 far from assured.
Uruguay began the match looking to quickly put a disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia behind them, but quickly became bogged down in a desultory dogfight with the stubborn Cape Verdeans.
Midfielder Federico Valverde missed his best chance early in the match on Vozinha’s goal and seven minutes later Uruguay trailed.
Rodrigo Bentancur illegally stopped Telmo Arcanjo’s run in midfield and Pina hit a long-range free kick between the two men into the wall and past the diving Fernando Muslera for Cape Verde’s first World Cup goal.
Cape Verde had promised more attacking intent than against Spain and Muslera was forced to intervene in the 38th minute to prevent Sidny Lopes Cabral’s cross-shot from reaching Gilson Benchimol.
Araujo’s late goal rescued a point for Uruguay in their first Saudi match and the left winger scored his second World Cup goal in the 44th minute, stooping to head the ball into an empty net after Manuel Ugarte’s header came back off the post.
First goal conceded by Vozinha
It was the first goal conceded in the tournament by Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, who became a global media sensation after his Player of the Match award against Spain.
Araujo turned passer in stoppage time before the break, directing Ugarte’s free kick into the path of Canobbio, who made no mistake with the finish.
It seemed the sweltering heat and energy of the defensive effort was taking its toll on the Cabo Verdean players and coach Bubista made some changes in the 58th minute.
Three minutes later, Varela pounced on an ill-advised crossfield pass from Mathias Olivera, slotted the ball past the inexplicably advancing Muslera and headed it into the vacant goal.
More frenzied celebrations followed, with players rushing towards the Cape Verdean fans in the lower tiers of the stands. The Blue Sharks were back in the game and Jamiro Monteiro fired a shot just over the bar in the 63rd minute.
The match opened with both teams looking for a winner, but Canobbio missed Uruguay’s best chance when he was put through on goal in the last minute only to fire his shot over the bar.
