Maximiliano Araujo secured a point for Uruguay as they drew 1-1 against against Saudi Arabia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in the opening match of Group H on Monday Night, Yankee Scores reports
Saudi Arabia, the team famously remembered for defeating the eventual winners, Argentina in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup also came close to getting a win after going ahead in the 41st minute by a goal from Abdulelah Al Amri before losing focus in the 80th minute to settle for a draw
Marcelo Bielsa’s side had a lukewarm first half with their only major highlight of the half being a Federico Vinas header that was saved by the Saudi Goalkeeper, Mohammed Al-Owais
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Saudi Arabia remained compact defensively and posed a few threats through set pieces. The breakthrough arrived in the 40th minute when defender Abdulelah Al-Amri stunned the South Americans. The center-back opened the scoring as he reacted quickest to a rebound to give Saudi the lead.
However, a double change at the break for Uruguay changed the pace of the game and Uruguay finally found the back if the net in the 80th minute after Araujo find the back of the net after an initial save by the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper to deny Federico Vinas again
Mohammed Al-Owais made nine saves, including a crucial stoppage time save to deny Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, per BBC
Bielsa’s side dominated possession for the most of the game but it was not enough to give them all three points.
After Cape Verde’s shock draw with Spain, the group is now wide open as Saudi Arabia try to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 1994
