Uruguay ties with Cape Verde. Uruguay entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the South American teams expected to compete for the top spots. However, after two matchdays, the reality is very different. The team coached by Marcelo Bielsa once again raised many questions and drew 2-2 against a tenacious Cape Verde, a result that puts them on the ropes heading into the final match of the group stage.
After the unexpected draw against Saudi Arabia in their opener, Uruguayan fans were hoping for a strong response. It didn’t happen. La Celeste once again displayed defensive problems, a lack of offensive punch, and difficulties in asserting their dominance against an opponent that, in theory, was the underdog.
Cape Verde surprised the world once again
GOAL FOR CAPE VERDE! A MONUMENTAL BLUNDER BY URUGUAY! ⚽😨
A terrible mistake by Uruguay! Cape Verde capitalizes!#ElMundialEsNuestro and the magic of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on @Televisa and @VIX 🇲🇽🏆 pic.twitter.com/4uiiglL0J5
— TUDN MEX (@TUDNMEX) June 21, 2026
The African team had already shown signs of its competitiveness in the tournament, but against Uruguay it proved that it isn’t at the World Cup just to be a spectator.
The first goal came in the 20th minute, when Kevin Pina fired a powerful long-range shot that went through the Uruguayan wall and beat Fernando Muslera, who was playing in his 18th World Cup match, making him the Uruguayan player with the most World Cup appearances.
The goal once again highlighted Uruguay’s defensive struggles; at times, the team appeared nervous and unable to respond.
Araújo and Canobbio briefly saved Uruguay
Thoughts on Agustín Canobbio?
Two years after his falling out with Bielsa, few expected him to be back on the team
His energy and movement helped turn the game around in the second half. pic.twitter.com/kjeVhVNzZE
— Uruguay Football ENG (@UruguayFootENG) June 16, 2026
Just when it seemed like things were getting even more complicated, Uruguay staged a comeback before halftime.
First, Maxi Araújo popped up to capitalize on a rebound inside the box and tie the game.
Later, in stoppage time of the first half, a cross into the box was capitalized on by Agustín Canobbio, who tapped the ball into the back of the net to give the South Americans a temporary lead.
The 2-1 score seemed to mark the beginning of a definitive comeback.
Another mistake cost La Celeste the game
We need to take a moment to really APPRECIATE what Cape Verde has accomplished, please. They’ve never played in a World Cup before. Their country’s population is just over 500,000. And yes, in their first World Cup appearance, they tied with Lamine Yamal’s Spain and drew with… pic.twitter.com/ISY4vTudsM
— Invictos (@InvictosSomos) June 22, 2026
However, Uruguay once again paid dearly for its mistakes.
A turnover by Mathías Olivera, combined with a poor clearance by Muslera, allowed Helio Varela to tie the score into an empty net.
From that moment on, Bielsa’s team desperately sought the winning goal.
Darwin Núñez, Nicolás de la Cruz, and Federico Valverde tried to lead the offense, but they came up against a very organized Cape Verdean defense and the steady play of veteran goalkeeper Vozinha.
Uruguay even celebrated a third goal, but the play was called off due to a millimeter-thin offside call following a VAR review.
Everything will be decided in the match against Spain
🚨💣 URUGUAY IS FIGHTING FOR A SPOT IN THE ROUND OF 16 AGAINST SPAIN!!! 🇺🇾🇪🇸
🟢 If they beat Spain, they advance.
🟡 If they tie, finishing in 2nd place depends on Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia splitting the points (and Cape Verde ending up with fewer goals scored; if all other factors are equal, the fair play record will be considered)
🔴 Yes… pic.twitter.com/kmeFEm6Qcr— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) June 22, 2026
With this result, Uruguay has just two points and is in third place in its group at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The situation is delicate: a loss to Spain would mean immediate elimination, while a tie might not be enough to advance.
Now La Celeste will face one of the most important matches of its World Cup campaign against a Spanish team that is riding high after a 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia.
The pressure is on Uruguay. And there’s no room for error anymore.
Filed under: Uruguay ties Cape Verde