Cape Verde's late equalizer gives Maccabi Tel Aviv's Helio Varela a World Cup first

Maccabi Tel Aviv winger Helio Varela made history at the World Cup by scoring Cape Verde's equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Uruguay overnight between Sunday and Monday. The match was played at the 2026 World Cup, and Varela's goal came in the 62nd minute, just four minutes after he entered the pitch.

Varela took advantage of a serious Uruguay defensive mistake and poor positioning by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to level the game, earning Cape Verde another valuable point in the tournament. It was his first goal for the national team in his 22nd appearance in all competitions.

The goal also carried significance for Israeli soccer. Varela became the first non-Israeli player from Israel's league to score in a World Cup. The previous representative of the Israeli league to score at the tournament was Moti Spiegler, who netted Israel's only goal against Sweden at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Altogether, 18 foreign players from the Israeli Premier League have appeared in World Cup matches over the years, including three in the current tournament. Besides Varela, Maccabi Haifa's Kenji Gorre and Abdoulaye Seck are also taking part, but Varela was the first among them to find the net.