Uruguay’s national football team faced Cape Verde’s national football team in a crucial Group H match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both teams looking for their first victory of the tournament. The match kicked off at Miami Stadium in Florida after both nations opened their campaigns with draws. Uruguay earned a 1–1 result against the Saudi Arabia national football team, while Cape Verde impressed with a historic goalless draw against the Spain national football team. As a result, Uruguay vs Cape Verde carried major significance in the race for a place in the knockout stage.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde Match Context
The importance of Uruguay vs Cape Verde increased earlier in the day when Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4–0, temporarily moving to the top of Group H. That result meant three points in Miami could put either team in a strong position heading into the final group match.
Uruguay entered the game with a talented midfield led by Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, and Rodrigo Bentancur. Cape Verde relied on the organization that helped them secure their historic draw against Spain.
The opening minutes remained tight, with neither side able to create a breakthrough as both teams looked to settle into the match.
Team News and Starting Lineups
Uruguay started with experienced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in goal, while defender Ronald Araújo remained unavailable because of a calf injury.
Cape Verde once again turned to veteran goalkeeper Vozinha and a disciplined defensive setup designed to frustrate Uruguay’s attack.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde: First-Half Update
Uruguay leads Cape Verde 2-1 at halftime in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match in Miami. Cape Verde opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Kevin Pina, whose powerful free kick beat the Uruguayan wall and goalkeeper. Uruguay gradually took control, creating pressure through sustained attacks and several corner kicks. Maximiliano Araújo leveled the score in the 44th minute, and deep into stoppage time, Agustín Canobbio completed the comeback with a close-range finish, giving Marcelo Bielsa’s side a narrow advantage at the break.
Key Match Moments
01′ KICK-OFF: Referee Espen Eskås gets the Group H match underway in Miami.
04′ YELLOW CARD – CAPE VERDE: Sidny Lopes Cabral is booked for a late challenge.
09′ CORNER – URUGUAY: Uruguay wins their first corner of the match, but Cape Verde clears the danger.
15′ OFFSIDE – URUGUAY: Federico Viñas is flagged offside after breaking beyond the defensive line.
19′ YELLOW CARD – URUGUAY: Rodrigo Bentancur receives a caution for a tactical foul.
21′ GOAL – CAPE VERDE (1-0): Kevin Pina scores with a powerful free kick from distance.
24′ CHANCE – URUGUAY: Federico Valverde fires over the crossbar from long range.
30′ HYDRATION BREAK: Play is paused for a mandatory cooling break due to the Florida heat.
39′ CORNERS – URUGUAY: Consecutive Uruguay corners increase pressure on the Cape Verde defense.
44′ GOAL – URUGUAY (1-1): Maximiliano Araújo slides in at the back post to equalize after a brief VAR check confirms the goal.
45′ STOPPAGE TIME: Six minutes of added time are signaled.
45+6′ GOAL – URUGUAY (2-1): Agustín Canobbio finishes from close range after an assist from Araújo to complete the comeback.
45+7′ HALF-TIME: Uruguay lead Cape Verde 2-1 at the break.
First-Half Statistics
Score: Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde
Corners: Uruguay 4, Cape Verde 1
Offsides: Uruguay 2, Cape Verde 0
Yellow Cards: Uruguay 1, Cape Verde 1
Substitutions: None
Full-Time Update
Cape Verde rallied from behind to secure a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Uruguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match in Miami. After halftime, Deroy Duarte replaced the injured Telmo Arcanjo, while Uruguay pressed for control through Federico Valverde and Federico Viñas. The turning point came in the 60th minute when substitute Hélio Varela scored the equalizer. Marcelo Bielsa introduced Darwin Núñez and Nicolás de la Cruz late on, but Cape Verde defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Vozinha helping preserve a valuable point.
Key Match Moments
45′ SUB – CPV: Deroy Duarte replaces the injured Telmo Arcanjo.
45′ SECOND HALF: Play resumes with Uruguay leading 2-1.
48′ CORNER – URU: Sidny Cabral concedes a corner under pressure.
52′ CHANCE – URU: Federico Valverde’s long-range effort flies over the crossbar.
55′ OFFSIDE – URU: Federico Viñas is flagged offside.
57′ YELLOW CARD – URU: Mathías Olivera is booked for a tactical foul.
58′ DOUBLE SUB – CPV: Hélio Varela and Nuno da Costa replace Garry Rodrigues and Gilson Tavares.
60′ GOAL – CAPE VERDE (2-2): Hélio Varela scores shortly after coming off the bench.
64′ CHANCE – CPV: Jamiro Monteiro narrowly misses the top corner from distance.
65′ INJURY STOPPAGE: Play is briefly halted for a Cape Verde injury.
67′ BLOCKED SHOT – URU: Roberto Lopes blocks Federico Valverde’s effort inside the box.
68′ CORNER – URU: Uruguay win a corner following the blocked shot.
69′ VAR REVIEW: The referee checks a potential incident, but the original decision stands.
69′ DOUBLE SUB – URU: Darwin Núñez and Nicolás de la Cruz enter for Federico Viñas and Manuel Ugarte.
70′ SUB – CPV: Laros Duarte replaces Kevin Pina.
72′ HYDRATION BREAK: Play is paused due to the Miami heat.
79′ SUB – CPV: Yannick Semedo replaces Jamiro Monteiro.
81′ SUB – URU: Brian Rodríguez replaces Maximiliano Araújo.
84′ CORNER – URU: Vozinha punches clear under pressure.
87′ OFFSIDE – URU: Darwin Núñez is caught offside.
90′ CORNER – URU: Cape Verde clear another dangerous delivery.
90+3′ YELLOW CARD – CPV: Diney is booked during stoppage time.
90+5′ FULL TIME: Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde Results Today: FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score, Updates, Stats