Uruguay looked to have turned the match around with two goals in the final minutes of the first half, only for Cape Verde Islands to level again in the second. K. Lenini opened the scoring for Cape Verde in the 21st minute, before M. Araujo equalized in the 44th and A. Canobbio, assisted by Araujo, put Uruguay ahead in first-half stoppage time. H. Varela, introduced as a substitute at the 58th minute, restored parity for Cape Verde in the 61st. Uruguay pressed for a winner — M. Araujo had a goal disallowed for offside in the 68th — but could not find a third, despite 16 shots and 66 percent of possession.

The point leaves both sides with one draw apiece in Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uruguay, despite an xG of 2.28 against Cape Verde's 0.77, leave Hard Rock Stadium without a win after dominating territory and chances. Cape Verde, who finished with just two shots on target, take a point from a match they spent largely without the ball. Both teams will return to group play with their qualification hopes still live.