Photo credit: AP News
Cape Verde’s magical start to its first \World \cup isn’t over. It might just be getting started.
AP World Cup reports that the tiny island nation that stunned tournament favourite Spain last week did it again against Uruguay – a two-time World Cup champion – on Sunday, coming from behind for a 2-2 draw.
Kevin Pina scored on a free kick for Cape Verde’s first ever goal in the World Cup, and Helio Varela scored the equalizer for what has become one of the most surprising teams of the expanded 48-team tournament – a club now with a legitimate chance of getting into the knockout stage.
“This is something we owe to other smaller national teams – teams that struggled to qualify for a world tournament,” Cape Verde Coach Pedro Leitao Brito said. He added that his entire squad believes it can continue its historic play and reach the knockout stage.
Cape Verde, which has two points in Group H along with Uruguay, faces Saudi Arabia in its final group match.
“We’re also here to show a country that may be small, may struggle financially,” he added, “but if they are resilient, if they can endure struggle, they can also stand shoulder to shoulder with other major teams and with players who are on another level.”
Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio scored late first-half goals to put Uruguay ahead. But Varela, minutes after coming into the game in the second half, took advantage of a bad pass by Mathias Olivera and caught Muslera way off his line for a tying empty-net goal and his first international score.
Varela celebrated by hopping into his teammates’ arms and flexing atop their shoulders as Muslera and other Uruguay players dropped their heads in disappointment.
It was another special moment for Cape Verde’s Vozinha, who became one of the tournament’s breakout stars after shutting down Spain. The 40-year-old goalie had his mother in the stands for Sunday’s match; she was unable to attend Cape Verde’s opening draw against Spain because she couldn’t obtain a visa.
It was also the first World Cup with two starting goalies aged 40-plus. Muslera, who made his 18th World Cup appearance, turned 40 on June 16.
Vozinha waved at the crowd after the final whistle as his teammates ran to a section of Cape Verdean fans, who cheered and danced on their way out of the stadium as if they were celebrating a victory.
