Bentancur’s Uruguay draw with Cape Verde in second World Cup Group H clash
Rodrigo Bentancur made his 76th appearance for Uruguay in their World Cup Group H match against Cape Verde last night (21 June), which ended 2-2 in Miami Gardens.
‘Lolo’ played the full 90 minutes on what was a sweltering evening at the home of the Miami Dolphins, and executed a perfect last-ditch challenge on former Nottingham Forest striker Nuno da Costa in stoppage time to ensure the game finished level.
It was Cape Verde who kick-started an entertaining affair, scoring their first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute through a tremendous 35-yard free-kick by Krasnodar midfielder Kevin Pina.
A dramatic end to the first half saw Uruguay lead at the break, however, with Maxi Araujo’s diving header pulling La Celeste level with one minute of regular time to go, before Agustin Canobbio pounced on a ball into the box to take the lead in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The African side got back on level terms in the 61st minute after a misplaced pass by Napoli’s Mathias Olivera was picked up by substitute Helio Varela, who poked the ball past an onrushing Fernando Muslera in the Uruguay goal.
Cape Verde had the chance to take all three points after a well-crafted counter-attack in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but our number 30’s tackle was crucial in keeping the game level.
Da Costa received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and found his way out of a tackle by the last Uruguay defender, Sebastian Caceres, but just as he was preparing to test Muslera, Lolo burst into the box and pushed the ball out for a corner.
Following the draw, Uruguay sit second in Group H, below Pedro Porro’s Spain by two points and above yesterday’s opponents on goals scored heading into their final group match against the Spanish at Guadalajara Stadium in the early hours of next Saturday morning (27 June, 1am BST).