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

Written by pundits leading up to their match against Uruguay – Williams and Benni McCarthy on BBC One predicted they would lose – Cape Verde refused to follow the script.

A giveaway brought the second goal to level the score, but Helio Varela managed to slot the ball over the stranded Muslera before firing the ball into the net with a deft touch.

After this, Cape Verde managed to hold on to a point by showing its defensive strength that made the difference against Spain.

But they managed to combine this with an attacking threat and continued to look for a way to grab the three points.

It was a performance that led former South Africa striker McCarthy to say he had “re-respect” for Cape Verde and former Wales defender Williams to claim it was the “most entertaining” game he had played so far in the World Cup.

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

“All they need is to work on their last third entry, that composure, those decisions in the last moment of the game. I think they won a lot of people’s hearts after that performance.”

“Everyone doubted us, everyone thought we wouldn’t make it. Now we’re here,” a Cape Verde fan told BBC Sport at a fan park in the US.

Such a reaction reflects the sentiment surrounding Cape Verde, which is fast becoming one of the best stories of this year’s World Cup.