Maccabi Tel Aviv star scores equalizer in historic Cape Verde draw with Uruguay

MIAMI — Maccabi Tel Aviv’s star winger Helio Varela scored a second-half equalizer for Cape Verde against Uruguay in a dramatic group stage game on Sunday as the tiny island nation continued its fairy tale World Cup journey.

Sunday’s soccer action also saw a historic day for Egypt, which ended a 90-year wait to win its first World Cup game, while Iran overcame a myriad of complications amid war tensions to battle to a scoreless tie with Belgium.

Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks backed up their draw with Spain in their first World Cup finals match last week, when they stunned the world by holding the European champions goalless, by defying a second footballing powerhouse in the stifling heat of Miami Stadium for a 2-2 draw.

There was early pandemonium in the packed stands when Kevin Pina gave the African side the lead in the 21st minute with Cape Verde’s first World Cup goal from a long-range free kick.

Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio replied in the space of six minutes just before the break to put Uruguay ahead at halftime, but substitute Varela pounced on a defensive mistake to level the scores around the hour mark.

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The 24-year-old Varela signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv last year after spending several years in the Portuguese and Belgian leagues.

He has scored three goals in 23 appearances for the Israeli club.

Sunday was his 21st match representing the small African island nation, and the deciding score was his first goal in international competition.

There were chances at both ends as the teams pushed for a winner in a frenetic finish but at the final whistle it was the thousands of Cape Verdeans in the stadium who celebrated their second World Cup point.

Both teams trail group leaders Spain by two points with Cape Verde’s bold ambition of reaching the round of 32 very much alive heading into their clash with the Saudis.

“We would like to compete at the highest level and that’s what we’ve been doing in these two games,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said. “We’re here to try to achieve a new dream, which is to qualify for the second round. I think it’s legitimate for us to think that way.”

Twice world champions Uruguay, meanwhile, move on to their final group game against the Spanish with their place in the knockout rounds far from assured.

“Undoubtedly, Uruguay has a better squad than the one from Cabo Verde but we had to show it,” coach Marcelo Bielsa said. “Even with the goals that we conceded, we should have won. So, as far as I see it, we need to turn up against Spain and we have the need and the obligation to beat them.”

Uruguay started the game looking to put behind them their disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia but quickly got bogged down in a scrappy dogfight with the tenacious Cape Verdeans.

Midfielder Federico Valverde screwed their best early chance across Vozinha’s goal and seven minutes later Uruguay were behind. Rodrigo Bentancur illegally stopped Telmo Arcanjo’s surging run through midfield and Pina struck the resulting free kick between a porous two-man wall and past the diving Fernando Muslera.

Araujo’s late goal rescued a point for Uruguay in their Saudi opener and the left winger struck his second World Cup goal in the 44th minute, stooping low to head the ball into an empty net after Manuel Ugarte’s header had spun back off the post.

It was the first goal conceded at the tournament by 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who was thrust into the limelight after his Player of the Match display against Spain.

Araujo then turned provider, heading Ugarte’s inswinging free kick down into the path of Canobbio, who made no mistake with the finish. It looked like the stifling heat and energy of the defensive effort was taking its toll on the Cape Verde players and coach Bubista made a couple of changes in the 58th minute.

Three minutes later, Varela pounced on Mathias Olivera’s ill-advised crossfield pass, kneed the ball past the inexplicably advanced Muslera, and steered it into the vacant goal.

The game opened up as both sides chased a winner but Canobbio probably spurned Uruguay’s best chance when played through on goal in the last minute, only to blast his shot over the bar.

Iran earns 2nd draw, leaves thank you note in LA

Elsewhere in the tournament, Iran secured a 0-0 draw with Belgium to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. After the match, the team left a message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the World Cup amid the tensions during the war between Israel, the US and Iran.

Los Angeles hosted both of Iran’s Group G matches so far, with the team returning to their base in Tijuana, Mexico, between games, because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, while a number of Iran’s team staff and officials have been banned.

US officials have said the squad’s travel arrangements would continue to be assessed, while discussions over easing some restrictions have continued.

“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran’s football federation.

“Thank you, Los Angeles for your hospitality,” it added. “We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.”

A note from the Iran national football team in SoFi Stadium's locker room. These athletes have faced discrimination by their World Cup hosts for representing a nation that was attacked in an unprovoked war. Imagine how they'd have been treated if they had invaded another country pic.twitter.com/xfwxM8cQid

— Kourosh Ziabari (@KZiabari) June 22, 2026

The note also thanked Iranian supporters who gave their “heart, voice and soul” for the team during the two matches and ended with a call for peace, respect and friendship among all nations.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has repeatedly criticized the travel restrictions imposed on the side, saying the team has faced challenges no other side has had to endure.

Iran, who drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opener at SoFi Stadium, play their final group match against Egypt in Seattle.

Egypt gets first-ever World Cup win

For Egypt, Sunday’s match was a historic triumph, earning the country’s first World Cup win in its history by beating New Zealand 3-1, putting them on track to reach the knockout round for the first time.

Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet were Egypt’s scorers after Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes of the Group G match in Vancouver.

The victory puts Egypt top of Group G on four points and needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to move into the last 32.

Salah’s goal came after he exchanged passes with Zico — named after the Brazilian legend — and then curled in a shot with his left foot in the 67th minute.

Salah then provided the assist for substitute Trezeguet — who himself is named after former France forward David Trezeguet — to make the game safe with a low header.

“In years to come we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history,” Salah said.

He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the crowd, saying: “It feels like we are playing in Egypt. It’s a great win and great vibe.”

Egypt had trailed the Kiwis, who opened the scoring through Surman’s towering header after 15 minutes. But Zico equalized when he headed in a cross from Mohamed Hany.

“The stadium felt as if we were in Egypt,” said coach Hossam Hassan. “The fans made it feel as though we were playing in Egypt, and I told the players, ‘We’re playing in Egypt.’ The stadium was full, like Cairo Stadium.”

New Zealand, after twice being pegged back by Iran in their 2-2 draw, again let a lead slip, and this time it proved more costly as Salah worked his magic.

“I think we contained them well enough, but they have good enough people in the whole side,” New Zealand captain Chris Wood told reporters. “You can’t just focus on one player, and he (Salah) can pop up with a goal at any time and he showed that.”

New Zealand rounds off the group stage against Belgium in Vancouver, while Egypt will meet Iran in their final game with all to play for in the race for a spot in the Round of 32.