MIAMI: Cape Verde produced another brilliant performance to draw 2-2 with Uruguay in a Group H thriller on Sunday, backing up their goalless draw with Spain in their World Cup opener by challenging a second-ranked soccer power.
The Blue Sharks shocked the world by holding the European champions goalless on Monday, but an even bigger surprise seemed to be on the cards when Kevin Pina gave the African team the lead in the 21st minute, causing chaos at Miami Stadium.
Goals from Maxi Araujo and Agustín Canobbio in the space of six minutes just before half-time gave Uruguay the lead at half-time, but substitute Helio Varela took advantage of a defensive error to level the score around the hour mark.
There were chances on both sides as the teams crumbled in search of a winning goal in a frenetic finish, but in the end it was the thousands of Cape Verdeans in the stadium who celebrated their second point in the World Cup.
A heartbroken Uruguay and their massive ranks of fans will advance to their final group match against Spain with their place in the knockout rounds far from assured.
Uruguay began the match looking to quickly put their disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia behind them, but quickly became bogged down in a tough fight with the tenacious Cape Verdeans.
Midfielder Federico Valverde wasted his best initial opportunity in front of Vozinha’s goal and seven minutes later Uruguay were behind.
Rodrigo Bentancur illegally stopped Telmo Arcanjo’s run through midfield and Pina scored a long-range free kick between the two men on the wall and beat the diving Fernando Muslera for Cape Verde’s first goal of the World Cup.
Cape Verde had promised more attacking intent than they showed 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 match in Saudi Arabia and the left winger scored his second World Cup goal in the 44th minute, ducking to head the ball into the empty goal after Manuel Ugarte’s header hit the post.
First goal conceded by Vozinha
It was the first goal conceded in the tournament by 40-year-old Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha, who became a global media sensation after his Man of the Match performance against Spain.
Araujo became provider in added time before the break, heading a free kick from Ugarte into the path of Canobbio, who made no mistake with the shot.
It seemed that the stifling heat and the energy of the defensive effort were taking their toll on the Cape Verde players and coach Bubista made a couple of changes in the 58th minute.
Three minutes later, Varela pounced on Mathías Olivera’s reckless cross-field pass, kneed the ball past the inexplicably advanced Muslera and headed it into the empty goal.
More frenetic celebrations followed with the players running towards the Cape Verdean fans in the lower stands. The Blue Sharks were back in the game and Jamiro Monteiro shot just over the crossbar in the 63rd minute.
The match opened with both teams chasing a winning goal, but Canobbio squandered Uruguay’s best chance when he played towards goal in the final minute only to fire his shot over the bar.
