Maccabi Tel Aviv winger Helio Varela scored his first career World Cup goal in the early hours of Monday in Cape Verde’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Uruguay, becoming the first Ligat HaAl player to score at a World Cup since Moti Spiegler in 1970. He scored three minutes after coming off the bench, finishing from close range after a communication breakdown between Uruguay’s center backs. The goal carried a relatively difficult chance value of 0.4 xG, and in 32 minutes on the pitch he added one dribble and two passes.
The performance drew praise and criticism in equal measure. Journalist Luis Fernando Filho called Varela “a brave player” and said Cape Verde now “depends only on itself” to reach the next round, adding that he had kept “the dream of an entire nation alive.” Spain’s AS blamed Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, saying it was “a serious mistake” and that Varela only had to take the gift. English-language coverage also highlighted his speed, including a claim that an AI tool identified him as an exceptional fast player suited to devastating counterattacks.
Varela’s pace is also part of the story of how he reached Israel. He began in amateur football in Portugal, climbed through the lower divisions, reached Portimonense, and then spent one season at Gent before Maccabi Tel Aviv gambled on his potential. That speed, and the strong end to his season, may also raise his market value. He is currently valued by Transfermarkt at 2.5 million euros, double the 1.2 million euros he was worth when he arrived at Maccabi, after the club bought him for 1.7 million.
Varela said afterward, “I dreamed about it, but I did not think it would happen. Not like this. Scoring my first goal for the national team at the World Cup? It is amazing, there are no words.” He added that Cape Verde wanted to win and had chances to do so. The team is now projected to meet Mexico in the round of 32, while Varela, under contract at Maccabi Tel Aviv until 2028, is expected to remain a central figure for the club next season, possibly as a starter. This season he scored six goals and added three assists, including a goal in the State Cup final.
