Cape Verde’s magical run at the 2026 World Cup shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, it might only be getting started.
Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal in stunning style Sunday, unleashing a free-kick from long range in an eventual 2-2 draw against Uruguay.
The result puts the tiny island nation in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
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Cape Verde is the first team on record (since 1966) to score its first World Cup goal via a direct free-kick, according to Opta.
After a pair of Uruguay tallies to close out the first half, Helio Varela pounced on a defensive error to level the score at two apiece in the 61st minute. The two sides then exchanged a flurry of chances in a pulsating conclusion to the contest, but neither could find a winning goal in Miami.
“This is something we owe to other smaller national teams,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said through an interpreter, according to Alanis Thames of The Associated Press. “Teams that struggled to qualify for a world tournament. We’re also here to show that a country may be small, may struggle financially, 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.”
The Blue Sharks, one of the feel-good stories of the 2026 World Cup so far, began their tournament with an instantly iconic goalless draw against European heavyweight Spain.
Sunday’s stalemate with Uruguay puts Bubista’s team in a great position to make more history. Cape Verde, level with Uruguay on two points, closes out Group H play against lowly Saudi Arabia.
A victory in that match will guarantee Cape Verde of a place in the round of 32 regardless of what happens in the concurrent June 26 fixture between current group leader Spain (4 points) and Uruguay.
“You show up, you believe, and we work very hard as a team,” said Cape Verde defender Stopira. “I think all the world can see we play, we play very good, and we also have quality in the team. So now it’s on to the next game, and to try to reach the next one.”
