The team’s performance has been, in general, unconvincing. Despite the promises of having learned from previous mistakes, two crosses that ended in goals by Maxi Araújo and Agustín Canobbio were the highlight of a team that has not yet managed to convince its fans in the competition.
Defensive errors have paid dearly in the World Cup. A barrier that opened in an unusual way allowed Cape Verde to score their first goal, and a loss of ball by Mathías Olivera, added to a poor start by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, led to the African team’s second goal.
Uruguay reaches the last day with 2 points, placing itself in third position in the group. A victory against Spain could catapult them to first place, but a draw would depend on other results, and a defeat would mean automatic elimination from the most important tournament in world football.
Uruguay’s match against Cape Verde was reminiscent of the match against Saudi Arabia, generating a feeling of déjà vu when the Africans took the lead after twenty minutes of play, further complicating the situation for the Celeste.
A powerful shot by Kevin Pina from about 30 meters away, which slipped through the barrier, left Fernando Muslera with no options. The goalkeeper became the Uruguayan with the most World Cup appearances when he played his 18th game, surpassing Edinson Cavani in this historical mark.
Uruguay suffered the blow and was close to receiving the second goal after a loss of the ball at the start. However, Gilson Benmichol failed to capitalize on the opportunity when he was already in the rival area, losing possession and avoiding a more adverse score.
The Cape Verdean forward, the most liberated player in defense for his team, was incisive in counterattacks, unlike his more conservative approach against Spain. Cape Verde, locked in behind, sought to take advantage of the spaces left by the Uruguayan defense in search of offensive opportunities.
In the stands, the mother of ‘Vozinha’, the Cape Verdean goalkeeper, followed the match. The player, a hero against Spain and absent in that debut due to visa problems, was finally able to attend the match to witness the performance of his team and, in particular, that of his son under the three sticks.
Despite the presence of his mother, ‘Vozinha’ did not have any notable interventions. Uruguay, with only two shots on goal in the entire match, managed to score on both occasions during the first half, demonstrating effectiveness in their few attempts at the rival goal.
The first goal of the tie came through Araújo, who capitalized on a rebound after a shot off a post by a Cape Verdean defender. Later, in first-half stoppage time, winger Canobbio extended a cross that Agustín Canobbio pushed into the net to equalize the score.
After the tie, it could have been expected that the South American team would seek to increase the goal difference to face the last match against Spain with greater calm, which had previously beaten Saudi Arabia 4-0. However, the team did not show the expected voracity.
The absence of Luis Suárez, who was watching the game from the stands, was noticeable. Uruguay once again allowed Cape Verde to advance after a loss of the ball by Olivera and a failure in the exit of Muslera. Helio Varela took advantage of the circumstance to score 2-2 into an empty net.
A possible third Uruguayan goal, scored after a corner kick, generated great expectations in the stadium. However, the celebration was interrupted after a VAR review that ruled a millimeter offside by the thrower, invalidating the play and maintaining the tie on the scoreboard.
Considering the imminent match against Spain, the draw was not a favorable result for Uruguay. Marcelo Bielsa, technical director, sought to change the dynamic by introducing Darwin Núñez and Nicolás de la Cruz during the hydration break, a measure he had previously criticized for interrupting the rhythm of the game.
This tactical timeout coincided with Uruguay’s most offensive phase of the entire match. ‘La Celeste’ put intense pressure on the Cape Verde area, which completely retreated in defense, trying to repel the continuous crosses, both low and aerial, that bombarded its goal.
Valverde was close to scoring a great goal with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. Subsequently, Canobbio had a clear one-on-one opportunity in stoppage time. However, Uruguay were startled when a Cape Verde counterattack ended with Da Costa falling in the box, raising doubts about a possible penalty.
On this occasion, a miraculous intervention from ‘Vozinha’ was not necessary to secure a point. Cape Verde, which arrived undefeated on the last day, will play for its place in the next phase against Saudi Arabia, in a decisive match for both African teams.
The Uruguayan team, which came into this match with 2 points, faces the urgent need to beat Spain to advance in the FIFA World Cup 2026. A draw would leave them at the mercy of the results of other third parties, while a defeat would mean elimination.
