Dropped Nunez can't save Uruguay as Cape Verde hold them to World Cup scare

Darwin Nunez endured another frustrating night as Uruguay were held to a 2-2 draw by FIFA-ranked 67th Cape Verde in their World Cup Group H fixture, leaving Marcelo Bielsa’s side on the brink of an early exit.

The 26-year-old Al-Hilal striker had been dropped for the match after criticism of his performance in Uruguay’s 1-1 opening draw with Saudi Arabia. Bielsa restored him with 20 minutes remaining, tasking Nunez with dragging his country over the line against the tournament minnows — but the South Americans could not find a winner.

Nunez showed flashes of intent after coming on, including a cross that captain Fede Valverde failed to convert from close range, yet the result was ultimately an embarrassing one for a nation of Uruguay’s pedigree. The striker’s goal drought for his country now stretches towards two years; he last netted for La Celeste on June 28, 2024, in a 5-0 Copa America rout of Bolivia.

Uruguay had gone behind in the first half when Kevin Pina’s long-range free-kick beat goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, and despite rallying to lead, they could not hold on against Cape Verde.

The draw leaves Uruguay second in Group H on two points, level with Cape Verde, who face Saudi Arabia in their final group game. Bielsa’s side must take at least a point from their last match against Spain on June 27 to stand a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan icon and former Liverpool striker, watched from the stands and was visibly animated throughout. Cameras caught him looking crestfallen at full-time as his nation’s World Cup hopes were left hanging by a thread.

Pressure is mounting on Bielsa amid reports that the squad is already fractured, and the result against a side ranked 67th in the world will do little to ease those concerns.

Off the pitch, speculation has swirled in recent weeks about a possible return to Liverpool for Nunez following his difficult spell at Al-Hilal, where he was de-registered to accommodate Karim Benzema. Reports from South America suggested he had agreed a deal to rejoin the club under new head coach Andoni Iraola, though multiple outlets have since dismissed the claim. For now, Nunez’s focus remains on salvaging Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.