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Cape Verde do it again. World Cup debutants stun Uruguay to take big step towards knockout stage
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Cape Verde, in their first-ever World Cup appearance, secured a 2-2 draw against Uruguay in Miami, following a 0-0 draw with Spain, both teams being former World Cup champions.
- Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup goal with a 35-yard free kick, exploiting a defensive error by Uruguay, while Helio Varela added a second goal after a mistake by Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
- Despite Uruguay taking a 2-1 lead before halftime, Cape Verde's resilience led to a late equalizer, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stage to 67%, compared to Uruguay's 35%.
- Uruguay's performance has been marked by costly defensive errors and a lack of sustained attacking threat, putting their progression in jeopardy ahead of their final group match against Spain.
- Cape Verde's impressive World Cup debut has challenged expectations, with strong fan support and notable individual moments, such as goalkeeper Vozinha's skillful play under pressure.
