MIAMI: Cape Verde produced another brilliant performance to hold Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in a Group H thriller on Sunday, backing up their goalless draw with Spain in their first ever World Cup match by defying another soccer powerhouse.
The Blue Sharks stunned the world by holding the European champions goalless on Monday, but an even bigger upset looked on the cards when Kevin Pina gave the African side the lead 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 put Uruguay ahead at the break, but substitute Helio Varela pounced on a defensive error to level the scores on the hour mark.
There were chances at both ends as the teams ran themselves into the ground and pushed for a winner in a frantic finish, but in the end it was the thousands of Cape Verdeans in the stadium who celebrated their second World Cup point.
A dejected Uruguay and their throngs of fans will go into their final group game against Spain with their place in the knockout rounds far from assured.
Uruguay started the game looking to quickly put their disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia behind them, but were quickly bogged down in a miserable dogfight with the tenacious Cape Verdeans.
Midfielder Federico Valverde screwed their best early chance across Vozinha’s goal and seven minutes later Uruguay were behind.
Rodrigo Bentancur illegally stopped Telmo Arcanjo’s undulating run through midfield and Pina slotted 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 they showed against Spain and Muslera was forced to intervene in the 38th minute to prevent Sidny Lopes Cabral’s cross from reaching Gilson Benchimol.
Araujo’s late goal rescued a point for Uruguay in their Saudi Arabia opener and the left winger got his second World Cup goal in the 44th minute when he bent low to head the ball into an empty net after Manuel Ugarte’s header had spun back off 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 following his man of the match display against Spain.
Araujo turned provider deep into stoppage time before the break and headed Ugarte’s free-kick into the path of Canobbio, who made no mistake with the finish.
The stifling heat and energy of the defensive effort seemed to take its toll on the Cape Verde players and coach Bubista made a few changes in the 58th minute.
Three minutes later, Varela pounced on Mathias Olivera’s ill-advised crossfield delivery, kneed the ball past the inexplicably advancing Muslera and steered it into the empty goal.
More frenzied celebrations ensued with the players rushing to the Cape Verdean fans in the lower deck of the stands. The Blue Sharks were very much back in the game and Jamiro Monteiro fired a shot just over the bar in the 63rd minute.
The game opened up with both sides chasing a winner, but Canobbio spurned Uruguay’s best chance when he played through on goal in the last minute, only to blast his shot over the bar.
