Cape Verde Draw With Uruguay, Near Knockouts

The result added to one of the competition's most surprising stories. Cape Verde is an island nation in the Atlantic with about 525,000 people, and this is its first World Cup. In its opening game, it had already shocked Spain — ranked 65 places higher — with a goalless draw. Now 63rd in the world, the team has competed strongly with two leading football nations. Head coach Pedro Leitão Brito said the achievement was a message to other small countries: a nation "may be small, may struggle financially," but through hard work can stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the best.

Cape Verde now sit third in Group H, level on two points with Uruguay, and unbeaten after two matches — something no debutant had done since Senegal in 2002. Their final group game is against Saudi Arabia. A win would secure a place in the knockout rounds, while a draw might be enough if Spain beats Uruguay. The expanded 48-team format, which sends eight of the best third-placed teams into the next round, gives the newcomers a real chance.