Cape Verde Scores 1st World Cup Goal, Taking 1-0 Lead Over Uruguay

Q: After stunning Spain, can World Cup debutant Cape Verde deliver a knockout blow to an injury-plagued Uruguay?

Yes — Cape Verde have a real chance to hurt Uruguay, though Uruguay still enter as the more proven side. Cape Verde already showed they belong by holding Spain 0-0 in their World Cup debut, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha making seven saves. That result was not a fluke in the sense that Cape Verde are a disciplined, well-drilled team with a strong diaspora-based squad, recent competitive pedigree in Africa, and growing belief. A win over Uruguay would be another historic step and would put them in a strong position to reach the round of 32. Uruguay, however, remain dangerous because of their quality in midfield, especially Federico Valverde. The concern for Marcelo Bielsa’s side is that they looked wasteful in the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, managing only one goal from 27 shots. Injuries have also weakened them: José Giménez is out with a severe ankle sprain, while Giorgian de Arrascaeta is expected to miss the group stage with a calf problem. Those absences reduce Uruguay’s defensive authority and creativity. That said, this is still a match Uruguay are expected to edge if they are more clinical. Most forecasts point to a low-scoring game, with Uruguay favored by a narrow margin. But Cape Verde have already shown they can frustrate a heavyweight, and in a group where every point matters, another upset is entirely plausible. If Uruguay again fail to convert chances, Cape Verde are capable of delivering exactly the kind of result that could reshape Group H.

Q: With key players injured and forwards misfiring, is former champion Uruguay facing a shock World Cup exit at the hands of Cape Verde?

Uruguay is under real pressure, but a shock exit at Cape Verde’s hands is still not the most likely outcome. The concern is understandable. Marcelo Bielsa’s side opened with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia despite producing 27 shots and scoring only once, a sign of poor finishing rather than a lack of chances. They are also weakened by injuries, with José Giménez out with a severe ankle sprain and Giorgian de Arrascaeta expected to miss the group stage. That leaves more responsibility on Federico Valverde to drive the team. Cape Verde, however, have already shown they are no novelty act. Their 0-0 draw with Spain was one of the stories of the tournament, built on disciplined defending and a standout display from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who made seven saves. Their confidence is high, and another result would put them in a strong position to reach the round of 32. Even so, the broader evidence still favors Uruguay. Pre-match projections and betting markets make them clear favorites, with Opta-style simulations putting their win probability far above Cape Verde’s. Uruguay also benefit from the expanded 48-team format, where even a third-place finish can be enough to advance, reducing the immediate risk of elimination. So the danger is genuine, especially if Uruguay remain wasteful in front of goal. But based on squad quality, chance creation and qualification math, this would still rank as a major upset rather than an expected exit.

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 21

Kevin Pina put Cape Verde ahead in the 21st minute, curling a free kick past Fernando Muslera for the island nation’s first-ever World Cup goal.
The chance came after Uruguay’s Rodrigo Bentancur was booked, and Pina’s strike sent Cape Verde fans into celebration at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
That breakthrough extended Cape Verde’s remarkable tournament start after the debutants opened with a 0-0 draw against Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites.
A result against Uruguay would further shake up Group H after both teams drew their openers, with knockout-stage qualification at stake in the 48-team tournament.