Uruguay rescue draw against Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener
Maxi Araujo’s late goal earned Uruguay a 1-1 draw after Abdulelah Alamri had put Saudi Arabia ahead in Miami.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Uruguay avoided defeat in their first World Cup match of 2026, drawing 1-1 with Saudi Arabia after Maxi Araujo scored 10 minutes from time. The result left Group H unsettled after Spain, the European champion, had earlier been held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde, Reuters reported.
Saudi Arabia had been closing in on another opening-game upset four years after beating Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. Abdulelah Alamri put the Green Falcons ahead in the 41st minute at Miami Stadium on Monday, before Araujo turned in the equaliser late in the second half.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said his side had missed a chance to take control of the group after Spain dropped points. “An opponent we should have beaten; we gave away minutes in the first half that suggest we didn’t do things right,” Bielsa said, according to Reuters. “We had to win this match.”
Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis called the draw a positive result against a strong opponent, though he said his team could play at a higher level. “We were very tired at the end, but to play this type of game with this opponent, and to get a point, it’s a positive for us,” Donis said, according to Reuters.
Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, began with more authority. Araujo forced Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais into a fifth-minute save after turning near the edge of the penalty area, and Federico Vinas later had a diving header pushed away.
Saudi Arabia grew into the match before halftime. Reuters reported that Moteb Alharbi drove through midfield in the 36th minute before being fouled about 30 metres from goal, and Alamri soon tested Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera from the centre of the box.
The Saudi breakthrough came from a corner. Mohamed Kanno met Musab Aljuwayr’s delivery with a firm header that Muslera saved, but Alamri reacted first and scored from close range to give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 lead.
Bielsa changed Uruguay’s shape with two substitutions at the interval, and Reuters reported that the South American side became more direct, sending players wide and delivering crosses into the penalty area. Alowais stayed busy, dealing with a series of headers as Uruguay pressed for an equaliser.
Manuel Ugarte came close in the 60th minute when his low shot beat Alowais but struck the far post. Vinas, Uruguay’s main aerial outlet, then helped create the leveller when his header was saved and the rebound dropped to Araujo, who controlled the ball and finished at the near post.
Uruguay pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Federico Valverde and Jose Maria Gimenez both forced Alowais into saves with shots from opposite sides of the penalty area, Reuters reported.
Vinas said Uruguay struggled with the pressure of their first match. “I think the nerves of the debut worked against us, as did the need to go out and score,” he said, according to Reuters. “In the second half, we did a bit more of what the manager wanted. I’m frustrated and angry, but as captain, I’m happy with my teammates’ work.”
The point gives Saudi Arabia an early platform in its bid to reach the knockout stage for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Reuters reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.