Two ties, two opposite faces
For Uruguay, two draws with the taste of defeat. For Cape Verde, two results that taste like triumph and mark a milestone in its first World Cup.
The team led by Marcelo Bielsa must now beat Spain to avoid a fiasco. Meanwhile, the African team, which had already surprised by drawing without goals against La Roja, did it again: it tied 2-2 against La Celeste in Miami.
Kevin Pina opened the scoring with a free kick that became Cape Verde’s first goal in a World Cup. Helio Varela, who came on in the second half, tied the game with a long shot that surprised goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
The controversy and the statements
Maxi Araújo and Agustín Canobbio put Uruguay ahead with two goals in quick succession at the close of the first half. However, the advantage did not last. “The truth is that the goal is of no use… we should have taken care of the result,” said Araújo.
Bielsa took responsibility: “Organizational errors are always the coach’s responsibility. We pay a very high price for that.”
The match also had a special detail: it was the first World Cup match with two goalkeepers over 40 years old. Muslera, who turned 40 on June 16, and Vozinha, 40, faced off on the grass. Vozinha’s mother, who could not travel to the debut against Spain due to lack of visa, was in the stands this time.
Group H is reconfigured: Spain leads with 4 points, Uruguay and Cape Verde have 2, and Saudi Arabia closes with 1. Uruguay will risk their lives against Spain on Friday, while Cape Verde will face the Saudis with their hopes intact.
