Cape Verde’s Cinderella run at World Cup stays alive with stunning draw versus Uruguay

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Cape Verde’s Cinderella run at World Cup stays alive with stunning draw versus Uruguay

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Cape Verde's Helio Varela celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match against Uruguay, Image 2 shows Kevin Pina #6 of Cabo Verde celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Christian Arnold · NY Post Sports

Mon, Jun 22, 2026 ·

2 min read

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One of the World Cup's best stories continues to march on after Cape Verde scored its first two goals of the tournament, came from behind in order to draw against Uruguay and gave the small nation a legitimate chance at advancing to the knockout stage.

Cape Verde is the third-smallest country in the World Cup this year and stunned Spain earlier in the tournament with a scoreless draw. Sunday, Kevin Pina scored the country's first World Cup goal on a free kick, and Helio Varela scored the tying goal in the 61st minute.

Kevin Pina #6 of Cabo Verde celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. FIFA via Getty Images

"This is something we owe to other smaller national teams," Pedro Leitão Brito, Cape Verde's head coach said, per the Associated Press . "Teams that struggled to qualify for a world tournament. We're also here to show that a country may be small, may struggle financially, but if they are resilient, if they can endure struggle, they can also stand shoulder to shoulder with other major teams and with players who are on another level."

"You show up, you believe, and we work very hard as a team," Cape Verde defender Stopira told reporters on Sunday. "I think all the world can see we play, we play very good, and we also have quality in the team. So now it's on to the next game, and to try to reach the next one."

The nation of roughly 500,000 entered the tournament as a massive underdog, but will have a chance to move on when they meet Saudi Arabia in the final match of the group stage in Houston on Friday night.

Several situations would see them advance to the group stage.

Helio Varela celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 21, 2026. AFP via Getty Images

A win will see Cape Verde advance to the knockout round, and even a draw would do the trick if Spain beats Uruguay in their next match.

A loss to Saudi Arabia would dash Cabo Verde's hopes of advancing.

"Considering what we've done facing two great teams, our focus has to be on classifying," Cape Verde's head coach said.

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