World Cup 2026: Cape Verde draw with Uruguay and close to knockout qualification

Written by pundits going into their match against Uruguay – BBC One’s Vane Williams and Benny McCarthy both predicted they would lose – Cape Verde refused to follow the script.

A gift led to a second goal that drew the scores level, but Helio Varela did well to take a perfect touch before pushing the ball into the back of the net past a stranded Muslera.

Next, Cape Verde showed defensive strength to hold on for a point against Spain.

They made sure to combine it with their attacking threat, though, and continued to find ways to snag the three points.

It was a performance that led former South Africa striker McCarthy to say he had a “new lease of respect” for former Cape Verde and Wales defender Williams, who claimed it was the “most entertaining” game he has covered so far at the World Cup.

“They really came to play,” McCarthy said. “They were exciting. I thought they were brave.

“The only thing they need to work on is their final-third entry, that composure, making those decisions in the last minute of the game. I think they’ve won over a lot of people after this performance.”

A fan from Cape Verde told BBC Sport at a fan park in the US that “everyone doubted us, everyone thought we weren’t going to do it. We’re here now”.

Such reactions capture the sentiment currently surrounding Cape Verde, who are fast becoming the best story of this year’s World Cup.