World Cup debutants Cabo Verde continued their remarkable start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, battling back to secure a 2-2 draw against two-time champions Uruguay and proving their impressive opening result against Spain was no fluke.
Kevin Pina etched his name into the history books by scoring Cabo Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute. The midfielder, who plays his club football in Russia, stunned everyone by unleashing a powerful free-kick from around 25 yards that flew past veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to give the African nation a shock lead.
The goal marked another milestone for the island nation of just over half a million people, coming days after they earned their maiden World Cup point with a goalless draw against reigning European champions Spain.
Uruguay responded just before halftime. Maxi Araujo headed home in the 44th minute after Sidny Lopes Cabral’s clearance struck his own post and rebounded into danger. The South Americans then completed the turnaround moments later when Araujo delivered an excellent cross for Agustin Canobbio, who guided the ball beyond Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to make it 2-1.
Vozinha, aged 40, had already become one of the stories of the tournament after producing a string of superb saves against Spain. Sunday’s clash also marked the first World Cup match featuring two starting goalkeepers aged over 40, with Muslera having celebrated his 40th birthday earlier this month.
Cabo Verde refused to back down and found their equaliser in the 61st minute. Helio Varela capitalised on a misplaced pass in Uruguay’s half before calmly slotting into an empty net to restore parity.
Having now held both Spain and Uruguay, Cabo Verde have emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the expanded 48-team tournament and are firmly in contention to reach the knockout stages.
