Maxi Araujo netted a late equalizer for Uruguay, preventing Saudi Arabia from achieving another remarkable victory in a World Cup opening match.
Saudi Arabia amazed the globe by defeating eventual champions Argentina in their opening game at the last 2022 competition in Qatar.
However, they were unable to withstand a second-half barrage from Uruguay—who recorded 28 shots on target—as Marcelo Bielsa’s South American team secured a point in the Group H match.
Abdulelah al Amri scored just four minutes before half-time when Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera deflected a powerful header from Hassan al Tambakti, giving Saudi Arabia the lead and fueling hopes for another stunning win.
Nevertheless, ex-Leeds manager Bielsa implemented a double substitution at halftime—which included removing the unproductive ex-Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez—and it injected more vigor into his squad.
Saudi goalie Mohammed al Owais deflected a low shot from Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte onto the post as Uruguay intensified their attack.
Araujo equalized with 10 minutes remaining after Al Owais deflected Federico Vinas’ header towards the Uruguayan forward.
Al Owais made nine stops, including diving late to deflect a powerful stoppage-time shot from Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde around the post.
Following Cape Verde’s surprising tie with Spain, the group is now completely open as Saudi Arabia aims to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since the 1994 World Cup held in the USA.
Uruguay likely would have prevailed in this match if not for Al Owais’s exceptional performance in goal for Saudi Arabia, and it will be intriguing to observe whether Bielsa provides Nunez another opportunity against Cape Verde with significant stakes in Group H.
On Sunday, June 21, at 17:00 BST in Atlanta, Saudi Arabia will face off against tournament favorites Spain, while Uruguay will compete against Cape Verde at Miami Stadium later that day at 23:00 BST.
