Cape Verde erupted at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with Kevin Pina’s direct free kick in the 21st minute—Cape Verde’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. Uruguay answered with two goals before halftime, turning the early joy into a harder fight as Cape Verde tries t
Hard Rock Stadium was rocking when Kevin Pina struck, and for a moment it felt like Cape Verde had grabbed hold of the World Cup in full view.
On Sunday evening in Miami, Florida, Cape Verde took a 1-0 lead over Uruguay at the start of their match in Group H. The goal—Cape Verde’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal—came in the 21st minute from a direct free kick by Pina.
The ball went through the net. and the cheers that followed were immediate and loud. the kind you only hear when something historic actually lands. Cape Verde had already stunned the tournament earlier in the group phase with a 0-0 tie against Spain in their first Group H game. and now they had something tangible to show against Uruguay.
But the night refused to stay simple for Cape Verde. Uruguay responded before the half was even over, scoring two unanswered goals to flip the scoreline after the early breakthrough. The comeback began with Maxi Araújo, who found the net in the 44th minute. Then, just before halftime, Agustín Cano scored in extra time leading into the break.
By the time the teams headed back, the mood had changed at Cape Verde’s end. The cheers for the goal were still the clearest memory from the opening, yet the scoreboard told a different story: Uruguay entered the first-half break ahead after turning Cape Verde’s early lead into a two-goal advantage.
Cape Verde now faces the crucial swing of the match in the second half, with the immediate goal to tie the game—or even come back for a win. The margin matters in Group H, because if Cape Verde lose, their chances in the group fall off sharply.
Whatever the final outcome, the milestone is already secure. This has been a monumental year for Cape Verde: their first World Cup appearance. a 0-0 draw with Spain in their Group H opener. and now that direct-free-kick moment in Miami—Pina’s 21st-minute strike—giving the nation its first World Cup goal.
Cape Verde will also carry the result into their next challenge in Group H against Saudi Arabia, with that third game set to take place on Friday night.
Cape Verde Uruguay Kevin Pina Maxi Araújo Agustín Cano World Cup 2026 Group H Hard Rock Stadium free kick Saudi Arabia