Cape Verde
Cape Verde could hardly have asked for a better start, frustrating Spain with a disciplined low block and riding the form of Vozinha, who kept everything out despite eight Spanish shots on target. In my opinion this side is built on defensive solidity, with Ryan Mendes leading the threat in transition. With both teams level on a point in a wide open group, a second clean sheet would put real pressure on their rivals, and I expect Bubista to set up cautiously again. They reported no fresh fitness concerns coming out of the Spain match, so I anticipate an unchanged eleven.
Predicted Lineup: Vozinha; Lopes Cabral, Lopes, Diney, Moreira; Pina, Duarte; Cabral, Monteiro, Mendes; Livramento.
Uruguay
Uruguay were sloppy against Saudi Arabia and needed Maxi Araujo's 80th minute strike to avoid a disappointing defeat, so Bielsa will want a sharper, more controlled display in this one. My read is that their injury list is the real worry: Ronald Araujo suffered a muscle tear before the tournament, Giorgian de Arrascaeta is out with a broken collarbone, and Jose Gimenez has been managing a knock. Even so, the talent gap is huge, with Federico Valverde driving midfield and Darwin Nunez leading the line, and I think the possession game Bielsa wants will eventually wear Cape Verde down. A win here would all but secure their place in the last 16.
Predicted Lineup: Muslera; Varela, Caceres, Olivera, Vina; Valverde, Ugarte, Bentancur, Maxi Araujo; Vinas, Nunez.
