#广场预测世界杯赢40000U 2026 World Cup Predictions: Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde
One year ago, when the draw results for the 2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup group stage were announced, everyone thought Group H was a two-horse race between Spain and Uruguay. However, after the first round of matches, we found that things are far from as simple as they seemed. All four teams in Group H are tied with 1 point each, with no clear winner and no team destined to be the underdog.
Cape Verde: From "Underdog" to "Touchstone"
Looking through World Cup history, it's hard to find a debut more surprising than Cape Verde’s. Facing the title favorites, ranked second in the world, with a team value of 1.22 billion euros, this African island nation making its first appearance in the World Cup finals managed to hold Spain to a 0-0 draw. Throughout the match, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made 7 saves, neutralizing threats with an expected goals total of 1.46, earning him the highest match score of 9.7. With a team value under 55 million euros, they frustrated a team worth hundreds of times more. Their qualification journey is equally inspiring — the key match that secured their spot was played at the Estádio Nacional de Praia, built with Chinese aid.
From "having no jerseys" to holding Spain to a draw, Cape Verde made the world remember their name with just one game. But they are not just a team that "parks the bus." They scored 18 goals in 10 qualifiers, and in 12 matches across all competitions, only one game was goalless — their attacking ability was masked by the clean sheet in the first game.
Uruguay: 27 Shots, No Win
On the other side, Uruguay’s situation is much more awkward. In the first match against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay controlled nearly 70% of possession, fired 27 shots, but only managed to equalize with a goal from defender Araujo in the 80th minute. Top striker Nunez only touched the ball 8 times in the first half — the lowest on the team — and was substituted at halftime. Uruguayan media pointed sharply after the game: "Our forwards score freely at club level, but they can't play for the national team anymore." Since the retirements of Cavani, Suarez, and others, Uruguay has truly struggled to find reliable big and central strikers. Veterans like Suarez and Cavani failed to make the World Cup squad this year, exposing their lack of firepower. Coach Belsa took responsibility but also admitted: "Our first-half performance was sluggish and sticky. The situation in the second half was completely different; the team played as they could have in the first half."
A disturbing and poignant contrast is their mental state. Uruguay, a two-time World Cup champion, has already lost face after being held to a draw by Saudi Arabia. If they cannot secure three points in the next game, facing Spain in the final round will be a desperate situation. Pressure, impatience, mistakes under prolonged attack — all these hover over Uruguay.
And what about Cape Verde?
Having already made history by holding Spain to a draw in the first game, they have proven that "Cape Verde is not here just to participate." Every match and every point gained now is an extra reward. This carefree confidence allows them to focus fully on executing their tactics. When one team is enjoying the game while the other is tortured by it, upsets are already within reach.
Data doesn’t lie: with an 87% vs. 13% value gap, it doesn’t necessarily mean dominance on the field. Uruguay has scored an average of only 1.0 goal in their last five matches, with just 0.2 in the first half. Their shot-to-goal conversion rate is 10.8 shots per goal, far higher than Cape Verde’s 6.1. In other words, Uruguay can win the ball back, but their final passes and finishing are not as effective as the data suggests.
Cape Verde’s real weakness is their defense — with a goal conceded per shot conversion rate of 8.4, lower than Uruguay’s 11.4. This means that once Belsa’s high pressing opens up passing lanes, Cape Verde’s backline could collapse faster. But don’t forget, Cape Verde scores an average of 1.2 goals in the second half — when stamina drops after 60 minutes and Belsa’s high press begins to falter, their counterattack window widens.
The most critical matchup in this game might be Uruguay’s attack versus Cape Verde’s goalkeeper. Vozinha, after his heroic debut, has seen his fan base surge by over 3 million. But what’s more touching is the story off the pitch — this 40-year-old veteran goalkeeper is currently a free agent, having just parted ways with Portuguese club Chaves before the World Cup. His mother received a green light from the U.S. government and has arrived in Miami to watch her son’s game live. A man still fighting for his career and family at 40, standing at the World Cup goal — such a story is inherently moving.
On the Uruguay side, Nunez has not played club matches for a long time, and his performance in the first game was disastrous. Belsa might adopt a more aggressive tactic in this match, with the more attacking Drakush possibly starting.
Why 2-1?
Uruguay must win. Without a victory, facing Spain in the final game is a dead end.
Cape Verde’s defense can withstand Spain’s attack, but Uruguay’s style is different — more aggressive, more pressing, more ruthless. Belsa’s team doesn’t need to penetrate as delicately as Spain; they can use their bodies, crosses, and set pieces to break through Cape Verde’s compact defense. But Cape Verde will definitely score.
In 10 qualifiers, they only failed to score in one game — they are not just a defensive team.
Uruguay was attacked three times in the penalty area by Saudi Arabia in the first game, revealing a clear lack of defensive focus. When Uruguay pushes forward en masse and only two central defenders remain, Cape Verde’s counterattack could be deadly at any moment.
2-1 — Uruguay narrowly secures three points, and Cape Verde, despite the loss, earns respect.
Some say Cape Verde’s first-round draw with Spain was just luck. But luck only favors those who are prepared.
This team, emerging from ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic, with over ten players born abroad, secured their World Cup ticket in a Chinese-aided stadium, then held the title contenders to a draw in front of the world. They deserve a better result and for the world to continue hearing their story.
And Uruguay, once a South American powerhouse, also needs a win to prove — they are not just a team riding on reputation; they can still fight.
Miami Hard Rock Stadium, June 22, 6:00 AM Beijing Time.
We believe and look forward to this life-and-death match providing an answer worthy of both teams.
One year ago, when the draw results for the 2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup group stage were announced, everyone thought Group H was a two-horse race between Spain and Uruguay. However, after the first round of matches, we found that things are far from as simple as they seemed. All four teams in Group H are tied with 1 point each, with no clear winner and no team destined to be the underdog.
Cape Verde: From "Underdog" to "Touchstone"
Looking through World Cup history, it's hard to find a debut more surprising than Cape Verde’s. Facing the title favorites, ranked second in the world, with a team value of 1.22 billion euros, this African island nation making its first appearance in the World Cup finals managed to hold Spain to a 0-0 draw. Throughout the match, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made 7 saves, neutralizing threats with an expected goals total of 1.46, earning him the highest match score of 9.7. With a team value under 55 million euros, they frustrated a team worth hundreds of times more. Their qualification journey is equally inspiring — the key match that secured their spot was played at the Estádio Nacional de Praia, built with Chinese aid.
From "having no jerseys" to holding Spain to a draw, Cape Verde made the world remember their name with just one game. But they are not just a team that "parks the bus." They scored 18 goals in 10 qualifiers, and in 12 matches across all competitions, only one game was goalless — their attacking ability was masked by the clean sheet in the first game.
Uruguay: 27 Shots, No Win
On the other side, Uruguay’s situation is much more awkward. In the first match against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay controlled nearly 70% of possession, fired 27 shots, but only managed to equalize with a goal from defender Araujo in the 80th minute. Top striker Nunez only touched the ball 8 times in the first half — the lowest on the team — and was substituted at halftime. Uruguayan media pointed sharply after the game: "Our forwards score freely at club level, but they can't play for the national team anymore." Since the retirements of Cavani, Suarez, and others, Uruguay has truly struggled to find reliable big and central strikers. Veterans like Suarez and Cavani failed to make the World Cup squad this year, exposing their lack of firepower. Coach Belsa took responsibility but also admitted: "Our first-half performance was sluggish and sticky. The situation in the second half was completely different; the team played as they could have in the first half."
A disturbing and poignant contrast is their mental state. Uruguay, a two-time World Cup champion, has already lost face after being held to a draw by Saudi Arabia. If they cannot secure three points in the next game, facing Spain in the final round will be a desperate situation. Pressure, impatience, mistakes under prolonged attack — all these hover over Uruguay.
And what about Cape Verde?
Having already made history by holding Spain to a draw in the first game, they have proven that "Cape Verde is not here just to participate." Every match and every point gained now is an extra reward. This carefree confidence allows them to focus fully on executing their tactics. When one team is enjoying the game while the other is tortured by it, upsets are already within reach.
Data doesn’t lie: with an 87% vs. 13% value gap, it doesn’t necessarily mean dominance on the field. Uruguay has scored an average of only 1.0 goal in their last five matches, with just 0.2 in the first half. Their shot-to-goal conversion rate is 10.8 shots per goal, far higher than Cape Verde’s 6.1. In other words, Uruguay can win the ball back, but their final passes and finishing are not as effective as the data suggests.
Cape Verde’s real weakness is their defense — with a goal conceded per shot conversion rate of 8.4, lower than Uruguay’s 11.4. This means that once Belsa’s high pressing opens up passing lanes, Cape Verde’s backline could collapse faster. But don’t forget, Cape Verde scores an average of 1.2 goals in the second half — when stamina drops after 60 minutes and Belsa’s high press begins to falter, their counterattack window widens.
The most critical matchup in this game might be Uruguay’s attack versus Cape Verde’s goalkeeper. Vozinha, after his heroic debut, has seen his fan base surge by over 3 million. But what’s more touching is the story off the pitch — this 40-year-old veteran goalkeeper is currently a free agent, having just parted ways with Portuguese club Chaves before the World Cup. His mother received a green light from the U.S. government and has arrived in Miami to watch her son’s game live. A man still fighting for his career and family at 40, standing at the World Cup goal — such a story is inherently moving.
On the Uruguay side, Nunez has not played club matches for a long time, and his performance in the first game was disastrous. Belsa might adopt a more aggressive tactic in this match, with the more attacking Drakush possibly starting.
Why 2-1?
Uruguay must win. Without a victory, facing Spain in the final game is a dead end.
Cape Verde’s defense can withstand Spain’s attack, but Uruguay’s style is different — more aggressive, more pressing, more ruthless. Belsa’s team doesn’t need to penetrate as delicately as Spain; they can use their bodies, crosses, and set pieces to break through Cape Verde’s compact defense. But Cape Verde will definitely score.
In 10 qualifiers, they only failed to score in one game — they are not just a defensive team.
Uruguay was attacked three times in the penalty area by Saudi Arabia in the first game, revealing a clear lack of defensive focus. When Uruguay pushes forward en masse and only two central defenders remain, Cape Verde’s counterattack could be deadly at any moment.
2-1 — Uruguay narrowly secures three points, and Cape Verde, despite the loss, earns respect.
Some say Cape Verde’s first-round draw with Spain was just luck. But luck only favors those who are prepared.
This team, emerging from ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic, with over ten players born abroad, secured their World Cup ticket in a Chinese-aided stadium, then held the title contenders to a draw in front of the world. They deserve a better result and for the world to continue hearing their story.
And Uruguay, once a South American powerhouse, also needs a win to prove — they are not just a team riding on reputation; they can still fight.
Miami Hard Rock Stadium, June 22, 6:00 AM Beijing Time.
We believe and look forward to this life-and-death match providing an answer worthy of both teams.
