Uruguay vs Cape Verde World Cup 2026: Suarez's Farewell, Nunez Leads La Celeste — Group H Preview 6PM ET Miami

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Match Report — Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Uruguay attempted 47 crosses — the most in a World Cup match since Argentina vs Switzerland in 2014. They had 23 shots in the second half — the second most in a World Cup half in recorded history. And they drew 1-1. The reason: Mohammed Al-Owais. The Saudi Arabia goalkeeper made nine saves and was the single difference between a Saudi victory and a Saudi collapse. De la Cruz had a clear opportunity stopped at close range in the 88th minute. At least three other efforts seemed goal-bound. Al-Owais turned them all away.

Saudi Arabia scored through Abdulelah Al-Amri — who became the first Saudi Arabian defender to score at a World Cup. His first-half goal sent Saudi supporters in Miami into euphoria. Uruguay equalised through Maxi Araújo in the 80th minute. Then Uruguay threw everything at Saudi Arabia for 10 minutes and Al-Owais saved it all. The draw leaves Group H fascinating — Spain were held 0-0 by Cape Verde, meaning all four sides have one point each after Matchday 1.

🎯 Micro Angle 1: Luis Suarez — The Last World Cup of the Greatest Uruguayan

Luis Suarez is the greatest footballer Uruguay has ever produced. He has scored 69 international goals — a South American record he holds alongside Lionel Messi. He has won the Copa America, reached a World Cup semi-final in 2010, and carried Uruguay's football culture on his shoulders for 18 years. At 39, in his fifth World Cup, he is not expected to start but has confirmed he is in the squad and fit to play. If Uruguay reach the later stages, Suarez will be there — and whatever minutes he plays in this tournament will be the last of his international career.

🎯 Micro Angle 2: Darwin Nunez — The Chaotic Brilliance Uruguay Need to Harness

Darwin Nunez is 26, Liverpool's starting striker, and one of the most explosive forwards at the 2026 World Cup. His finishing is inconsistent. His movement is extraordinary. His pace is terrifying. Against Cape Verde's back four, Nunez will have license to run in behind repeatedly — the kind of chance-creation that produces goals even when the accuracy is unreliable. Marcelo Bielsa's job is to give Nunez the structure to channel his energy, with Valverde and Fede Valverde providing the technical quality around him.

🎯 Micro Angle 3: Cape Verde — Africa's Surprise Package

Cape Verde appear in their second World Cup — they were at Qatar 2022 — having qualified through the CAF tournament by beating Cameroon and Morocco. Their attacking midfielder Garry Rodrigues plays in the Turkish Super Lig and is their most creative player. They defend with a 5-4-1 block and transition quickly. Against Uruguay's pace, they will need to be organized for 90 minutes without the ball to have any chance of the point or three that would make their tournament.

Match Report -- Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde: Kevin Pina Makes History

Cape Verde have done it again. After their 0-0 against Spain, they drew 2-2 with Uruguay in Miami in an even more extraordinary result. Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's first ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute -- a 30-yard freekick that went through Uruguay's two-man wall and left goalkeeper Muslera beaten. Uruguay led 2-1 at halftime through Araújo and Canobbio. Substitute Hélio Varela equalized in the 60th minute after a catastrophic Olivera backpass allowed him to chip over the rushing Muslera into an empty net. Uruguay had a late Araújo goal ruled out for offside. Goalkeeper Vozinha -- already the tournament's iconic goalkeeper -- again kept Cape Verde in the match.