Cape Verde’s first World Cup campaign is already part of football history, and the Blue Sharks may not be finished yet.
After stunning Spain with a draw in their tournament debut, Cape Verde delivered another memorable performance on Sunday by holding two time champions Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. The result keeps them firmly in the race for a place in the knockout stage.
Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean with a population of just under 525,000 according to the latest World Bank figures, have now stood up to two established World Cup sides in their first two matches. Against Spain, they needed a brilliant display from goalkeeper Vozinha. Against Uruguay, the heroes came further up the pitch.
Vozinha, whose Instagram following jumped from around 40,000 before the Spain match to more than 15 million, had a quieter game this time. Cape Verde limited Uruguay to just two shots on target and showed that their opening result was no accident.
Former Wales defender Ashley Williams joked on BBC One that the Cape Verde players would likely be checking their phones to see how many new followers they had gained. Vozinha’s mother, who missed the Spain game because of the cost of getting a visa to enter the United States, was in Miami this time and watched another proud night for the team.
Cape Verde Refuse to Sit Back Against Uruguay
From the opening minutes, Cape Verde played with ambition. They looked to move the ball forward quickly and asked regular questions of Uruguay’s defence.
The South American side were put under real pressure by Cape Verde’s pace, energy and confidence. Then came a goal that will be remembered back home for years.
Kevin Pina lined up a free kick from around 30 yards. As Uruguay’s wall jumped, it split open, and Pina’s strike flew through the middle before beating Fernando Muslera. In Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, the goal sparked huge celebrations.
Cape Verde had been widely expected to lose before the match. On BBC One, both Williams and Benni McCarthy had predicted a Uruguay win. The Blue Sharks had other plans.
Uruguay later gifted Cape Verde a route back into the game for the second goal, but Helio Varela still had work to do. He showed composure with a clever touch to take the ball past Muslera before guiding it into the net.
A Point Built on Courage and Discipline
After levelling the match, Cape Verde again leaned on the defensive strength that helped them earn a point against Spain. They held firm, but they did not simply retreat. Even late in the game, they kept looking for a winning goal.
That attitude impressed former South Africa striker McCarthy, who said he had gained a new level of respect for the team. Williams called it the most entertaining World Cup match he had covered so far.
“They really came out to play,” McCarthy said. “They were sensational. I thought they were brave.”
He added that Cape Verde’s main area to improve is their final third decision making and calmness in key moments. Still, he felt the team had won over many viewers with the performance.
One Cape Verde fan at a fan park in the United States told BBC Sport that everyone had doubted them and believed they would not get this far. Now, he said, they are here.
That reaction reflects the mood around Cape Verde, who are quickly becoming one of the standout stories of this World Cup.
Can Cape Verde Reach the Knockout Stage?
The draw with Uruguay leaves Cape Verde third in Group H, level with Uruguay on two points.
Under the expanded World Cup format, they still have a clear chance of reaching the last 32 in their first appearance at the tournament. Cape Verde face Saudi Arabia on Saturday in their final group match at 01:00 BST.
Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay and then lost 4-0 to Spain. McCarthy believes Cape Verde’s display against Uruguay should give them enough belief to beat Saudi Arabia.
The top two teams in each group qualify automatically, while eight of the 12 best third placed teams also go through. A win over Saudi Arabia would be enough for Cape Verde to secure progression.
If they make it, they would join rare company. Nigeria in 1998 and Russia in 2018 are the only teams ranked lower than Cape Verde’s current position of 63rd to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
Williams said Cape Verde should go into the Saudi Arabia match full of belief, knowing that qualification is within reach.
Cape Verde Continue to Win Respect
Former England forward Sue Smith praised Cape Verde’s performance on BBC Radio 5 Live, calling it outstanding once again.
Cape Verde finished with 12 shots and four on target, two more than Uruguay managed. Most of their chances came after the break, when they scored, pushed for a winner and refused to settle too early.
“The story of this team keeps going,” Smith said.
Williams also felt Cape Verde fully deserved the point and noted that even at the end, they were still chasing victory against Uruguay.
The result makes Cape Verde the first World Cup debutants to go unbeaten in their first two matches since Senegal in 2002.
Former Scotland forward James McFadden said what stood out most was how much Cape Verde were enjoying themselves on the pitch.
“They are enjoying themselves so much,” he said. “It’s been a joy to watch.”
