FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE updates: Uruguay come from behind against Cape Verde; Belgium see red in draw with Iran; Spain rout Saudi Arabia; New Zealand and Egypt in action today

Sunday is Father’s Day. Except, perhaps, for Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

The feel-good story of the World Cup is back on the field as Cape Verde takes on Uruguay in the second group-stage match for both teams. And Vozinha – whose name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias – will have his mother in the stands for that match; she was unable to attend Cape Verde’s stunning opening draw against Spain because she couldn’t obtain a visa.

Ana Candida Evora is there now, though – making Cape Verde’s story even better.

“I want to thank all the fans, everyone who helped in the process, for the support you gave to the team, especially to Cabo Verde,” Evora said in remarks distributed by FIFA in a video message. “We’re all rooting for Cabo Verde to play well, to shine on the pitch. The players need to have faith and everything will go well.

And what do I have to say about that? Nothing, because I’m speechless. As a neutral, it’s disappointing that Cape Verde have gone behind here, and Uruguay were somewhat fortunate that their opponents dropped their defensive guard twice despite having been so structured until that point.

Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde, half-time

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! We are in the sixth minute of five added minutes and Canobbio taps home a lovely fast move. Cape Verde might have lost a bit of focus there, perhaps expecting the half-time whistle to blow. But Uruguay keep playing. A ball into the left-hand side of the box is followed by a header back across, and Canobbio lunges onto the ball for a first-time finish.

Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde, 45+6 minutes

It’s a counter-attack following an extremely long-range attempt from Cape Verde. Muslera gathers quickly and bangs the ball back up the other end. This happens as Cape Verde’s Arcanjo goes down with a cramp and Uruguay’s Vinas stops to help him stretch it out. When they see what’s happening, they spring back into action. By then, Bentancur is already on the end of a cross. Lopes Cabral tries to clear and whacks his own post as Vozinha dives. The keeper is left in no man’s land as the ball bounces back for Araujo, who throws his head at it and diverts it into the net.

Uruguay 1-1 Cape Verde, 44 minutes

They really should be, and that is what makes this narrative wild and beautiful and effing crazy. I don’t like FIFA, and I don’t agree with FIFA on almost everything, but this is the goodness of a 48-team World Cup.

Vozinha hasn’t even had a chance to get involved, save for a couple of long hoofs. Uruguay have had seven shots and none have been on target. Cape Verde have had one, and you know that one was on target.

The latter had zero momentum before that goal. I repeat: momentum zero. It came from nowhere, and out of a testy, foul-laden contest that already looked like boiling over.

Now they are on song and playing genuinely well, fashioning chances. Canobbio, perhaps showing his team’s collective frustration, fouls Cabral and is lucky to avoid a booking. Time is ticking towards the break. Bielsa already has bench players warming up.

Uruguay 0-1 Cape Verde, 36 minutes

Pina hits a free kick, leathering his strike between two defenders and out of reach of the goalkeeper. It’s in the bottom-right corner of the net. Wow.

The hydration break is a good chance for Cape Verde to allow what they have just done to sink in. It’s also a good chance for Uruguay to revisit the way they defend free kicks. Two defenders separated slightly to let that goal slip between them. Like the sea parted by Moses. This is feeling a bit like a religious moment.

Uruguay 0-1 Cape Verde, 21 minutes

Lopes Cabral is shown an early yellow card for a late, late tackle on Bentancur. And if his yellow card count is correct, he won’t be able to play Cape Verde’s third group game. Bentancur could well have had a yellow himself a couple of minutes earlier for his frustrated arm around Lopes Cabral’s neck. The referee didn’t give it in that instance. Shortly afterwards, Canobbio goes down under a tackle. So maybe the ref had simply had enough when he issued that first yellow. He could have a fiery game on his hands.

Uruguay 0-0 Cape Verde, 10 minutes

Note: No team from Group H can qualify for the knockout stages today, and no team can be eliminated. But it’s fair to say that Uruguay will be pushing for a big improvement on their underwhelming opening outing against Saudi Arabia.

Very different vibes for these two sides.

Cape Verde, of course, produced the shock of the tournament by holding reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha went viral. It was very cool and heartwarming.

Uruguay, on the other hand, were held 1-1 by Saudi Arabia (who’ve just this morning been beaten 4-0 by Spain), dominating possession but failing to convert it into three points.

The question ahead of this match is whether Cape Verde can frustrate Uruguay in a similar fashion. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to match them in possession, but if their opponents cannot make better use of all the ball they’ll quite possibly have, well … let’s just say it’s going to be fascinating.

Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is filling up and kick-off is 20 minutes away.