MIAMI — Cape Verde earned a 2-2 draw against Uruguay in a FIFA World Cup Group H match on Sunday, recovering from a halftime deficit to claim a second consecutive draw in the tournament and leave both teams level on points heading into the final round of group-stage fixtures.
Playing in only its second World Cup match, Cape Verde took the lead in the 21st minute when Kevin Pina scored from a long-range free kick, marking the nation's first goal at a World Cup finals tournament, according to match reports. Uruguay responded late in the first half as Maximiliano Araujo equalized before Agustin Canobbio put the South Americans ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Cape Verde drew level again in the second half when substitute Helio Varela capitalized on a defensive error to score in the 61st minute. Uruguay pressed for a winner in the closing stages but was unable to regain the lead as the match ended level.
The result followed Cape Verde's scoreless draw with Spain in its opening Group H match and left the tournament debutants with two points from two games. Uruguay also has two points after opening its campaign with a draw against Saudi Arabia. Spain moved to the top of the group after defeating Saudi Arabia earlier on Sunday, according to tournament reports.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa expressed frustration after the match, saying his team had dropped points in games he believed it should have won.
"We have two points rather than six," Bielsa told reporters, according to Reuters. He attributed the result in part to defensive mistakes and said Uruguay now faced a major challenge in its final group match.
Cape Verde's performance continued one of the tournament's notable storylines, with the African nation remaining unbeaten after matches against Spain and Uruguay. The draw also kept alive its hopes of advancing from the group stage.
Uruguay and Cape Verde are scheduled to play their final Group H matches later this week. Uruguay will face Spain, while Cape Verde will meet Saudi Arabia. According to tournament standings published after Sunday's matches, Spain leads the group with four points, while Uruguay and Cape Verde each have two and Saudi Arabia has one.
