Cabo Verde secured their first ever World Cup victory with a 1-0 upset of Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, a result sparked by a long-range Kevin Pina effort that also marked the African debutants’ first goal at the finals. The strike midway through the first half proved enough for the Tubarões Azuis to absorb sustained Uruguayan pressure and move level on four points with group leaders Spain.

Pina’s shot from outside the area swerved past the dive of Fernando Muslera, who at 40 years old became part of the first World Cup pairing of two over‑40 goalkeepers alongside Cabo Verde’s Vozinha. Uruguay, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, dominated possession thereafter but found the African backline as impenetrable as Spain had in their opening draw. Federico Valverde and Maximiliano Araújo both went close, yet Vozinha – the hero of the Spain stalemate – remained largely untroubled, while Cabo Verde’s compact shape and swift counter‑attacks consistently disrupted the South Americans’ rhythm.

The victory completes a remarkable start for Cabo Verde in their maiden World Cup, and leaves Uruguay with one point from two matches following an opening 1‑1 draw against Saudi Arabia. Earlier on Sunday, Spain’s 4‑0 rout of the Saudis had placed Group H firmly in the European champions’ control, making this a must‑win for both sides. The result means Cabo Verde join Spain on four points, while Uruguay remain third with a single point and now face Spain in their final group fixture needing a win and other results to go their way to reach the round of 32.

The emotional weight was heightened by the presence of Vozinha’s mother in the stands, granted a visa after missing the Spain game. For Uruguay, the pressure is acute: Bielsa’s side must reset quickly to beat Spain and hope Saudi Arabia do them a favour against Cabo Verde. The Tubarões Azuis, by contrast, can secure a knockout berth with a point against the eliminated Saudis. Group H, tipped to be a straight fight between past champions, has instead delivered a tournament-sized shock.