World Cup 2026 | Saudi Arabia 1 - 1 Uruguay
Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser for Uruguay
This denied Saudi Arabia another memorable opening-match victory at a World Cup.
Author | Peter Grainger
Stadium | Miami Stadium
Saudi Arabia stunned the footballing world when they defeated eventual champions Argentina in their opening fixture at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
This time, however, they could not withstand a relentless second-half assault from Uruguay, who finished with 28 attempts on goal, as Marcelo Bielsa's side battled back to claim a point in the Group H encounter.
A closer analysis of what happened
Abdulelah al Amri bundled home four minutes before half-time after Hassan al Tambakti's powerful header from a corner was parried by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, putting Saudi Arabia ahead and raising hopes of another famous World Cup upset.
Former Leeds manager Bielsa responded with a double substitution at the interval, including the withdrawal of the ineffective former Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, and the changes injected fresh energy into his side.
Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al Owais produced an excellent save to push a low effort from Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte onto the post as Uruguay increased the pressure.
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The breakthrough eventually came with 10 minutes remaining when Araujo reacted quickest after Al Owais had diverted Federico Vinas' header into his path.
Al Owais finished with nine saves, including a superb late stop to turn a fierce stoppage-time strike from Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde around the post.
Following Cape Verde's shock draw with Spain, Group H now appears wide open, with Saudi Arabia hoping to reach the knockout stages for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
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