Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde

Cape Verde continued their fairytale World Cup campaign as the islands’ African group drew 2-2 with two-time winners Uruguay in Miami.

As genuine contenders for the game of the tournament, Cape Verde were at it again in a gutsy display in Group H play that saw them take the lead, fall behind – then salvage another point behind some fearsome Uruguay defence.

Kevin Pina set the tone for their exploits by scoring a stunning long-range free-kick that went through a timid two-man Uruguayan wall to send Cape Verde into further delirium.

But a second tournament goal for Maxi Araujo, who then set up Augustin Canobio’s second seven minutes later, turned the game around just before half-time.

Cape Verde’s Marcelo Bielsa was disheartened and flat in ridiculous fashion. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera ran away from his goal after seeing Matthias Oliveira’s weak square pass. Substitute Helio Varela flicked the ball over the head and into an empty net.

Uruguay thought they had a winner as Araujo tapped home a poor effort but it was ruled out for offside by the same player. Steven Moreira then made two goal-saving blocks to deny Brian Rodriguez and Rodrigo Bentancur from close range.

A thrilling final saw Laros Duarte fire straight at the goalkeeper with a huge chance to win Cape Verde, before Bentancur’s goal-saving challenge denied Varela a second goal.

For Cape Verde, the result means they go into their final game against Saudi Arabia confident they can avoid defeat to take them into the Round of 32. Uruguay probably need something from their final game against Spain to qualify…

Key moments from Miami…

• 21: Goal! Pina sent Cape Verde into a frenzy with a long-range free-kick that went through a two-man wall.
• 38: Cape Verde miss two quickfire chances – Lopes Cabral’s cross is well saved by Muslera while Gilson Benchimol can’t pick out Telmo Arcanzo one-on-one on the break.
• 44: Goal! Seconds after Cape Verde attempted a goal from halfway, Araujo scored with a close-range header.
• 45+6: Goal! Canobio flicked on Araujo’s header to complete Uruguay’s comeback.
• 61: Goal! Uruguay then shot themselves in the foot when Oliveira’s square pass and Muslera’s wild charge out allowed Varela to equalise.
• 63: Jamiro Monteiro almost turned the game around when his long-range effort landed in the roof of the net.
• 69: Unauthorized! Uruguay looked to have scored their third through Araujo, but his heel was caught offside as the corner was returned.
• 90+3: Federico Valverde can’t slide off Darwin Nunez’s cross, before Canobio fires one up.
• 90+5: Duarte almost wins it for Cape Verde but Varela fires straight at the goalkeeper before failing to convert the big chance on the break.

Analysis: What’s going on with Bilsar’s Uruguay?

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

Deep disappointment from the dark horse. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay were one of those teams that could go a long way with talent all over the pitch. Keep playing like this and they’re going home.

After losing most of their opener in the World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay were even worse against Cape Verde, before salvaging a point late on.

Both of their goals in the game were the only shots on target. With 15 chances flying off target, they look like a team as lacking in confidence as quality.

Yes, they are missing key players like injured captain Jose Gimenez, defender Ronald Araujo, midfielder Georgian de Arascayeta while Luis Suarez was not picked – a vital, experienced player in the spine.

But their problem is bigger than that. It also has an emotional component. Just look at the two teams from the heart side.

Cape Verde protected them for life. Their two centre-backs made 28 clearances, with left-back Sidney Lopes Cabral winning 10 of his 15 duels with a yellow card.

Uruguay’s two-man wall fell apart like papier-mache for Kevin Piena’s free-kick goal, while their hospital pass was unsettling on any level.

But such lack of heart is perhaps to be expected given the turmoil Bilsa’s reign has caused in the past two years.

Generational talisman Suarez withdrew himself from international duty as Bielsa created a divisive and toxic environment, and the former Leeds boss dropped the striker when asked to return to the tournament.

Part of the disrespect Suarez accused Bielsa of keeping Sunday’s goalscorer Augustin Canobio with the Under-20s “sparring players” instead of the first team, because Bielsa didn’t like his attitude, including the way he sat.

Bielsa was already set to leave the national team at the end of the tournament but the cameras followed him down the tunnel as the full-time whistle went. The two-time World Cup winners are under intense scrutiny after failing to beat Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde at major tournaments.

Will he take responsibility for the game against Spain? Stranger things have happened.

What does the result mean?

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