Marcelo Bielsa believes Uruguay should have won both of their opening World Cup matches after another frustrating draw vs Cape Verde
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted his frustration after watching his side settle for another draw at the World Cup, insisting La Celeste deserved more from their opening two group-stage matches.
The two-time world champions followed up a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia with an entertaining 2-2 stalemate against World Cup debutants Cape Verde in Miami.
The result leaves Uruguay with just two points from their first two matches and facing a difficult task to reach the knockout rounds.
Despite the disappointing position, Bielsa remains convinced that his team has performed well enough to have won both games. The veteran Argentine coach pointed to the chances created and the overall balance of play as evidence that Uruguay should be sitting on a much healthier points tally.
Updated standings for Groups G and H 🙌#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 22, 2026
“We know we have two draws, two matches that we could have won, we should have been able to win,” Bielsa told reporters after the Cape Verde encounter. He added that there was no doubt in his mind that Uruguay deserved victory against both Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
However, defensive mistakes once again proved costly. Uruguay conceded the opening goal against Cape Verde from a long-range free-kick that slipped through the defensive wall, while the second came after a breakdown in communication at the back. Those moments ultimately prevented La Celeste from securing their first win of the tournament.
Bielsa accepted responsibility for the defensive lapses, insisting that any organisational shortcomings must fall on the head coach. While disappointed by the nature of the goals conceded, he acknowledged that mistakes are an unavoidable part of football and that Uruguay paid a heavy price for theirs.
The dropped points have left Uruguay level with Cape Verde in Group H, while Spain sit two points clear at the top following their emphatic 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
⏹️ 𝙁𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝘿𝙀𝙇 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙄𝘿𝙊@Uruguay 2-2 @fcfcomunica
📺 https://t.co/l3PMoeWV5O#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/Em3QqJfCVJ
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) June 22, 2026
That result has transformed Uruguay’s final group match into a must-win game against the reigning European champions.
Bielsa knows the scale of the challenge awaiting his side in Guadalajara but remains confident that Uruguay will rise to the occasion.
The 70-year-old described Spain as a huge opponent with exceptional quality, yet stressed that his players will approach the decisive encounter with maximum motivation as they fight to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
