Saudi Arabia draw 1-1 against Uruguay in World Cup opener | World Cup 2026 news

Maxi Araujo scored a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, preventing another stalemate in Group H after Spain were held to a one-goal draw by Cape Verde.

The Saudis beat Argentina 2-1 in their 2022 tournament opener, and looked set for a repeat, courtesy of Abdulelah Alamri’s 41st-minute strike, until Araujo’s winner 10 minutes from time at Miami Stadium on Monday.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa saw it as a missed opportunity after European champions Spain dropped two points earlier in the afternoon.

“The one we had to beat; we gave moments in the first half that showed we didn’t do well,” he said. “We had to win this game.”

The Green Falcons eventually had goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais to thank for their point, which will give them the confidence to advance to the knockouts for the first time since the United States’ last World Cup appearance in 1994.

“We were very tired at the end, but to play this kind of game against this opponent, and to get points, is good for us,” said Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis.

“I like the spirit and passion of my players, but I think we have the ability to play well.”

Uruguay, who won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, started the game with their favorites, and in the fifth minute, the left winger Araujo turned to the edge of the box and shot at the goal, where Alowais stopped.

But barring Federico Vinas’ diving header on the half-hour mark, which Alowais also pushed wide, the Uruguayans lacked precision going forward and often looked ordinary at the back.

Donis promised his team would be brave, and their attack began in the 36th minute, when left-back Moteb Alharbi dived into the middle of the field before being snubbed 30 meters (about 30 yards) from goal.

Alamri’s shot from the center of the box was well beaten by Fernando Muslera two minutes later, but the Uruguayan goalkeeper was powerless to stop the Saudis from going ahead soon after.

Mohamed Kanno got on the end of Musab Aljuwayr’s corner, and although Muslera was able to save his powerful header, Alamri was close to firing the ball into the net.

Bielsa made two changes at the break, and Uruguay’s game plan immediately looked coherent – getting the defenders to put crosses into the box and create more headers for Alowais to deal with.

Defender Manuel Ugarte came within inches of equalizing when he beat the Saudi goalkeeper in the 60th minute, only for his shot to bounce wide.

Vinas was Uruguay’s best threat throughout the match, and it was no surprise that the winner came from his header 10 minutes from full time.

Alowais again denied the target, but the ball fell to Araujo, who did well to control it and curl it into the net at close range.

Uruguay rushed forward, looking for a winner in a thrilling finish; Federico Valverde and Jose Maria Gimenez came close and shot from either side of the box, which Alowais did well to push his posts.

“I think the starting nerves worked for us, as did the need to come out and score,” Vinas said.

“In the second half, we did a lot of what the manager wanted. I’m disappointed and angry, but as captain, I’m happy with the work of my teammates.”