Cape Verde equalize in World Cup thriller

An absolute classic is unfolding at the FIFA World Cup as Cape Verde fought back to tie Uruguay 2-2 in a breathless second half. The relentless underdogs initially shocked the South Americans in the 21st minute when Kevin Pina drilled home a historic, long-range free-kick.

Uruguay responded with fury, leveling through a close-range Maximiliano Araújo tap-in in the 44th minute. Deep into first-half stoppage time (45+6), Agustín Canobbio finished a beautiful team move to hand the Sky Blue a 2-1 halftime lead.

Unwilling to back down, the African nation capitalised on a catastrophic defensive error in the 61st minute as Hélio Varela pounced on a loose pass to easily slot the ball past an exposed Fernando Muslera.

Just moments later in the 63rd minute, Jamiro Monteiro nearly turned the match completely on its head with a spectacular, dipping effort from distance that rattled the roof of the net. Both teams continue to trade heavy blows in this wide-open, pulsating group stage encounter.