Uruguay v Cape Verde

Well, just as we said a few days ago against Spain – what a result that is for Cape Verde!! They rallied once again in the second half to draw 2–2 with two-time World Cup winners Uruguay, coming back from 2–1 down in a hugely spirited display. Those late first-half goals from Araujo and Canobbio had turned the game on its head after Pina's piledriving free-kick, and La Celeste began the second period in similar fashion, producing 2.34 xG in total. However, the Blue Sharks were soon back on the attack themselves and saw Cabral and Monteiro both test the defence early on, before they were gift-wrapped a goal which threw everything back into the balance. Olivera's terrible sidewards pass drew Muslera well out of his box and into no-man's land, where Cape Verde substitute Helio Varela was on hand to seize the loose ball and tap it into an empty net for 2–2. Further openings followed as Cape Verde racked up 0.86 xG in total, with Monteiro, Pico Lopes and Laros Duarte each having chances to complete the comeback and seal what would surely be the biggest shock of this World Cup (and the rest). However, they also had to weather a storm at the other end, as Uruguay piled on the pressure in the latter stages and went close on several occasions, even seeing a goal ruled out for offside against Araujo. Rodriguez, Bentancur nor Valverde could take the chance to give Uruguay the late lead they so desperately craved, and La Celeste are forced to settle for a 2–2 draw which leaves their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. A Spain side with renewed confidence awaits for Marcelo Bielsa's charges, who have just two points from six available thus far, while Cape Verde will take on Saudi Arabia, knowing that they may not even need to win and could still reach the last 32. After that performance though, you'd fancy Cape Verde's chances against almost anyone from here, wouldn't you?

FULL-TIME: URUGUAY 2–2 CAPE VERDE.

Da Costa drives down the right before being shunted to ground by Caceres, winning a last-gasp attacking free-kick which will give Cape Verde one more chance – if they're given the chance to take it... They aren't!

SAVED!! A long-range Cape Verde free-kick means another ambitious effort, and this time it's Laros Duarte who hits it, firing his low strike across the box and into the safety of Muslera's gloves!

CHANCE!! A game-saver for Uruguay!! They're at sixes and sevens in defence as Mendes plays the ball through for Varela on the break. He looks for Da Costa in the box, and despite getting there first, his heavy touch allows Bentancur to slide in and steer the ball behind for a corner with a perfectly-timed challenge!

SAVED!!! Muslera prevents an unthinkable Cape Verde winner! Mendes steps in-field from the right to find Laros Duarte, who turns in the box before drilling a low, left-footed effort straight into the Uruguay veteran's gloves!