Media Praise Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Helio Varela After Cape Verde’s Shock Draw With Uruguay

International media praised Helio Varela, the Maccabi Tel Aviv player who scored Cape Verde’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup. The tiny nation, which had already stunned Spain in the previous round, also scored its first-ever goals in the tournament. Varela came off the bench and struck in the 61st minute, just three minutes after entering the match, after a defensive mistake by Uruguay and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera left him with a simple finish.

Cape Verde had taken a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, but Uruguay turned the game around before halftime. Varela’s equalizer ultimately secured the point. Spanish daily AS said Varela “politely accepted the gift Uruguay gave him,” while sharply criticizing Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa as “a lost soul searching for identity in the 2026 World Cup.” AS also said Cape Verde never felt inferior and described it as a talented team playing quality football, adding that a win over Saudi Arabia would send it to the round of 32.

Sky Sports in England focused on Uruguay’s error, saying the team “shot itself in the foot” and describing Muslera’s rushed exit as “wild.” It also praised Varela’s composure, saying the poor pass from Mathías Olivera and Muslera’s reckless charge allowed him to level the score. Mundo Deportivo called Cape Verde “a gift to football, refreshing, authentic, competitive and entertaining,” and said a defensive mistake let the Maccabi Tel Aviv player go past the keeper for a “fantastic goal.”

After two matches against Spain and Uruguay, both former world champions, Cape Verde has 2 points and heads into the final round knowing that a historic victory would secure advancement, possibly even from first place in the group. A draw may also be enough, while a first-ever loss in the tournament would send the team home.