Cape Verde equals Senegal and Cameroon with cup feat

The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde have equaled the feat achieved by the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the World Cup after their draw with Uruguay in Group H.

In their second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, Cape Verde drew 2-2 with two-time world champions Uruguay.

Cape Verde also forced 2010 world champions Spain to a goalless draw in their first match.

According to Stats Foot, Cape Verde (two draws) becomes the third African nation to have not lost either of its first two matches in World Cup history after Cameroon in 1982 (two draws) and Senegal in 2002 (one win, one draw).

Also read: World Cup 2026: Oliseh chooses Cape Verde as the most impressive team in Africa

Kevin Pina gave way to Cape Verde in the 21st minute, scoring a stunning long-range free kick that broke through Uruguay’s two-man barrier.

But with just one minute left in the first half, Maxi Araujo tied Uruguay, scoring his second goal of the tournament.

Then, in the sixth minute of first-half added time, Araujo became provider by assisting Agustín Canobbio to put Uruguay up 2-1.

Cape Verde was not discouraged and tied in the 61st minute thanks to Helio Varela. A poor square pass from Mathías Olivera caused goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to run out of his goal, but Varela passed the ball over his head and scored into an empty net.

A victory for Cape Verde in their final group match against Saudi Arabia on June 26 will see them advance to the round of 32.

In the other group match, Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 to record their first victory of the tournament.

By James Agberebi