We are going to prove everybody wrong! — Cape Verde fans rejoice over historic World Cup goal

“We pass into the next phase! We are going to the next phase! We are going to prove everybody wrong!” the Cape Verde supporter exclaimed with glee, after his nation scored their first goal ever at the Fifa World Cup on Monday morning against Uruguay.

The historic moment was captured live by the BBC, who were interviewing the Blue Sharks fan at a watch party in the archipelago nation at the time.

“What is your appraisal of the way the Cape Verde team have been playing so far?” the reporter had asked the local supporter just moments before, with the match locked at 0-0 in the 21st minute.

“I personally, so far, think Cape Verde have been playing great,” the fan responded, before bedlam descended onto the island. “They have been matching Uruguay’s pressure … Goal!”

ABSOLUTE SCENES!🔥@BBCNews crossed live to Cape Verde at the very moment they scored their first ever World Cup goal to take the lead over Uruguay😱 pic.twitter.com/68cn1O1UKK

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 21, 2026

“That’s a goal. That’s a goal. That’s a goal,” the reporter emphasised.

The goal, scored via a set-piece by Kevin Pina, will be recorded as Cape Verde’s first at the showpiece event, on their debut participation at the World Cup. It propelled them to a 1-0 lead and, eventually, another stunning draw, this time in a 2-2 affair.

Cape Verde are ranked 63rd in the Fifa World rankings, 44 places below Uruguay. Previously, in their first match of the tournament, they kept world No 3 Spain at bay in a heroic 0-0 draw.

Despite taking the early lead against La Celeste, Cape Verde also had to show immense mental fortitude during the match.

Goals either side of half-time by Uruguay’s Maximiliano Araújo and Agustín Canobbio saw Cape Verde trail 2-1. Comical defending by the South Americans, however, ensured substitute Hélio Varela — only three minutes on the pitch — equalised in the 61st minute.

KEVIN LENINI FROM A SET PIECE! IT’S CAPE VERDE’S FIRST-EVER WORLD CUP GOAL AND WHAT A STUNNER! 🇨🇻😱🤩

Get the WC pass and watch it NOW on SportyTV, the SportyTV App or our YouTube channel! 📺📲 pic.twitter.com/3WpvZfqNS9

— SportyTV (@SportyTV) June 21, 2026

“I can’t believe what I’m watching. These are the moments that make the World Cup the greatest tournament in football,” France legend Thierry Henry said, of Cape Verde’s performance afterwards in his post-match analysis of the game.

After the draw, Cape Verde now find themselves third in Group H, level on points with Uruguay, who have a superior goal difference. Nonetheless, the African nation are well placed to make further history by progressing to the next round of the tournament.

Cape Verde next face bottom-ranked Saudi Arabia, who are on one point, on Saturday morning. Uruguay, meanwhile, face a stirring Spain, who thumped that nation 4-0 on Sunday night, at the same time. Any positive result could see Cape Verde book their spot in the last 32.