Araujo rescues Uruguay with late equaliser in 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia
Maxi Araujo scored an 80th-minute equaliser as Uruguay fought back to hold Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup Group H opener, after Abdulelah Alamri had given the Saudis a first-half lead in Miami.
Group H opener ends level
Maxi Araujo's 80th-minute strike rescued a point for Uruguay against a disciplined Saudi Arabia side in their World Cup Group H opener at Hard Rock Stadium. The 1-1 draw, combined with Spain's goalless stalemate against Cape Verde earlier in the day, leaves all four teams on one point. Uruguay dominated chances with 28 attempts to Saudi Arabia's seven but could not find a winner.
Saudi Arabia strike first
Despite Uruguay's early possession, it was Saudi Arabia who threatened first. Abdulelah Alamri forced a sharp save from Fernando Muslera in the 37th minute, then pounced four minutes later after Muslera parried a Mohamed Kanno header into his path. Alamri tapped in from close range to give the Green Falcons a half-time lead. Saudi coach Georgios Donis said his side had shown courage:
We had good control over the play and we had opportunities to score without being very decisive.
Uruguay fight back
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa made two substitutions at the break, and his team immediately looked more coherent. Manuel Ugarte struck the post just after the hour mark as the South Americans mounted continuous pressure. Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais produced a string of saves, including stops from Federico Vinas and Federico Valverde, before Maxi Araujo finally bundled home a rebound in the 80th minute after Alowais could only parry a shot. Bielsa was blunt:
An opponent we should have beaten; we had to win this match.
- Uruguay
- 28 attempts
- Saudi Arabia
- 7 attempts
Group wide open after Spain's shock draw
The result leaves Group H finely balanced. Saudi Arabia, aiming to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1994, earned a precious point against a two-time world champion. Donis acknowledged his team's limitations, saying:
Uruguay will look to improve their attacking precision in upcoming matches against Spain and Cape Verde.Currently I'm trying to learn my team... due to the lack of time, we cannot be flexible during the match.
