Cape Verde continues its strong run in the World Cup and has now snatched a point from Uruguay, keeping its hopes very much alive heading into the final match of its group stage when it faces Saudi Arabia next Friday, following a 2-2 draw in Miami.
Kevin Pina, with a low free kick that beat Muslera’s dive, gave the Africans a temporary lead in the 21st minute, to the astonishment of the soccer world, which could hardly believe what was happening on the field at Hard Rock Stadium. It was Cape Verde’s first goal in a World Cup!
However, the Uruguayans equalized first through Maximiliano Araujo in the 44th minute, after a save by Vozinha, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, on a header—a great save—but Araujo was there to put the ball into the net.
And just when it seemed they would go into halftime tied at 1-1, Agustín Canobbio appeared—like a ghost—between two African defenders to slot the ball into the net, making it 2-1.
In the second half, Uruguay fell into the trap, and in the 61st minute, Cape Verde, through Helio Varela, scored the equalizer. Meanwhile, the Uruguayans could not believe it, given the error committed by the defense as Muslera came off his line.
Uruguay had several chances but failed to capitalize, leaving them to decide their World Cup fate against Spain in Guadalajara. Meanwhile, Cape Verde travels to Houston to face Saudi Arabia; both matches are on Friday, June 26.
