Cape Verde fight back for second World Cup draw against Uruguay

Miami Gardens, United States: World Cup debutants Cape Verde scored a second-half equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uruguay on Sunday in Miami, backing up their shock opening stalemate with Spain. catcross.biz

Cape Verde took a surprise 21st-minute lead as Kevin Pina scored their first World Cup goal from a free-kick, only for Uruguay to strike twice shortly before half-time through Maximiliano Araujo and Agustin Canobbio.

But 40-year-old Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's mistake allowed Helio Varela to grab Cape Verde's second just after the hour mark and neither side could find a winner.

Cape Verde boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with their second point in Group H.

The African island nation face Saudi Arabia, thumped 4-0 by Spain earlier Sunday, in their final group game next Saturday, knowing victory would secure a last-32 berth.

Two-time world champions Uruguay's hopes of progressing are in serious danger, though, after again being held by lower-ranked opposition after their 1-1 draw with the Saudis.

The South Americans may need to beat European champions Spain next weekend to avoid a second consecutive World Cup group-stage exit.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa made two changes to the team which were held by Saudi Arabia, with Al Hilal striker Darwin Nunez dropping to the bench.

Bubista opted for three alterations to his Cape Verde team, all in attacking positions.

Cape Verde started with more intent going forward than they were able to show against Spain, but it was still Uruguay who created the first real opening when Federico Valverde drilled a left-footed shot wide.

But the tournament debutants forged ahead when Pina crashed a long-range free-kick through a poor Uruguay wall and past Muslera.

Uruguay were in desperate need of their equaliser when it arrived in the 44th minute.

Sidney Lopes Cabral headed the ball against his own post under pressure from Rodrigo Bentancur, and Araujo stooped to nod in the rebound with Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha stranded.

They completed the turnaround in the sixth minute of first-half added time, as Canobbio turned in Araujo's header across goal on the volley.

Uruguay appeared in control early in the second half until Muslera inexplicably raced out of his goal in the 61st minute and Cape Verde substitute Varela took full advantage to roll the ball into an empty net after an excellent first touch.

Vozinha, the hero of Cape Verde's draw with Spain, fumbled to allow Araujo to tap in, but his blushes were spared by an offside flag.

Real Madrid midfielder Valverde blazed a late free-kick over the bar from just outside the box, leaving Uruguay on the brink of a hugely disappointing exit.

Doha, Qatar: For Portugal, the equation is simple. Win or risk entering the final group match under immense pressure.

When they face Uzbekistan in their second Group K encounter at the FIFA World Cup, both sides will arrive with very different expectations but a common objective, securing a first victory of the tournament.

Portugal suffered a disappointing draw against DR Congo in their opening fixture, a result that has suddenly complicated what many expected to be a comfortable path into the knockout stages. With Colombia waiting in the final group game, another slip-up could leave the European side in a dangerous position. For a squad filled with established stars, that is not a scenario they would want to entertain.

While Portugal are under pressure to revive their campaign, Uzbekistan will see this as another opportunity to keep their knockout hopes alive. Even if they fail to finish in the top two, a positive result would significantly strengthen their chances of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams under the expanded World Cup format.

Roberto Martinez still possesses one of the strongest squads in the tournament. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva provide creativity in midfield, while Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Joao Felix bring pace on the wings, and the experience and composure of Cristiano Ronaldo make Portugal a dangerous attacking side.

Defensively, Ruben Dias will be expected to lead a backline that looked unusually vulnerable against DR Congo. Portugal’s problem is not a lack of talent, but finding a way to make all their star players perform well together as a team.

Competing at their first World Cup, the White Wolves have already shown that they are not simply here to make up the numbers. Organised, disciplined and tactically intelligent, they have built their recent success on collective effort rather than individual stardom.

Leading the charge is captain and striker Eldor Shomurodov, whose experience playing in Europe’s top leagues has made him the face of Uzbek football. Midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev brings energy and creativity, while defender Rustam Ashurmatov has emerged as a key figure at the back.

Unlike Portugal, Uzbekistan can afford to be patient. A draw would still represent a valuable outcome and keep multiple qualification scenarios alive heading into the final round of fixtures.

Portugal are likely to dominate possession and attack aggressively from the opening whistle, while Uzbekistan may be content to remain compact and exploit spaces on the counterattack. At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo is widely expected to be appearing in his final World Cup. Every match carries an extra layer of significance, not only for him personally but also for a Portuguese generation eager to deliver the one major trophy that has always escaped their greatest-ever player.

Ronaldo’s frustrations have also become a talking point. Despite remaining Portugal’s captain and talisman, he has failed to find the net in his recent World Cup appearances, a drought that he will desperately want to end.

Portugal and Uzbekistan have never faced each other in a competitive international match and only crossed paths once in a friendly encounter nearly a quarter of a century ago, with Portugal emerging victorious. But this World Cup is already creating new stories, and Uzbekistan will believe that they can create one against the European side.

As the tournament enters its second matchday, the margin for error shrinks considerably. Three points would revive Portugal’s campaign before the Colombia showdown. For Uzbekistan, another positive result would edge them closer to one of the biggest achievements in their football history.

Doha, Qatar: Qatar have stepped up preparations for their FIFA World Cup Group B clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle tomorrow, with both sides heading into the fixture knowing that the margin for error has effectively disappeared at this stage of the competition.

The match comes after setbacks for both teams in their previous outings.

Qatar were beaten by Canada 0-6 in their last group game, while Bosnia and Herzegovina also went down against Switzerland 1-4. With Canada and Switzerland now in stronger positions in the group, the equation is straightforward for Qatar and Bosnia – anything short of a positive result could bring their campaigns to a halt.

Inside the Qatar camp, attention has shifted quickly towards recovery and response.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui has placed emphasis on clearing the mental impact of the previous defeat, insisting that the team cannot afford to carry frustration into the next match.

His messaging has centred on discipline, collective responsibility and approaching the fixture with renewed focus.

Lopetegui has repeatedly reminded his squad that tournament football is defined by reaction as much as performance, and that the response in difficult moments often shapes the bigger picture.

Training sessions ahead of the must-win match have reflected that approach, with increased intensity and a clear focus on organisation, quick decision-making and maintaining compact structure across the pitch.

The squad environment has gradually shifted from disappointment to a more focused determination, with senior players taking the lead in reinforcing belief that the situation is still recoverable.

Defender Pedro Miguel captured that sentiment, saying: “We are disappointed, but no one has given up.”

At the same time, preparations have also taken into account the physical nature of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s approach, with emphasis placed on keeping the ball moving quickly, reducing unnecessary duels, and improving transitions from defence to attack.

The coaching staff have worked on maintaining shape and ensuring the team can cope with sustained pressure phases without losing organisation.

As the build-up continues, the focus remains on execution rather than emotion, with the coaching staff pushing for clarity in roles and consistency in decision-making under pressure.

The defeat to Canada has set the backdrop for Qatar’s final group challenge against Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the focus now shifts to a controlled performance and a result that keeps their campaign alive.