Atlanta, Jun 22 (V7N) – Cape Verde continued their impressive FIFA World Cup campaign by holding Uruguay to a 2-2 draw, strengthening their hopes of reaching the knockout stage after securing a second consecutive draw in Group H.
After earning a goalless draw against defending champions Spain in their opening match, Cape Verde once again defied expectations with a spirited performance against the South American side.
Cape Verde took the lead in the 21st minute through Kevin Pina. Following a quickly taken free-kick by Telmo Arcanjo after a foul, Pina unleashed a low strike from around 31 meters that found the back of the net, marking Cape Verde's first-ever goal in the main stage of a FIFA World Cup.
Uruguay responded before halftime and turned the game around with two goals. Maxi Araujo equalized after converting a rebound with a header, while Agustin Canobbio put his side ahead by finishing another attack initiated by Araujo. Uruguay entered the break with a 2-1 advantage.
Cape Verde refused to surrender and found an equalizer early in the second half. Substitute Helio Varela, introduced moments earlier, capitalized on a misplaced backpass from Uruguay defender Mathias Oliveira. Varela intercepted the ball, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted it into an empty net to make it 2-2.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough as the points were shared.
The result leaves Uruguay and Cape Verde level on two points each after two matches. Spain remain at the top of Group H with four points, setting up a tense and highly competitive battle for qualification heading into the final round of group-stage fixtures.
