Maxi Araújo struck late to salvage a point for Uruguay as the two-time world champions were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Saudi Arabia side in their Group H clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday.
Saudi Arabia appeared poised for another famous World Cup upset after taking a first-half lead through defender Abdulelah Al-Amri, but Uruguay’s relentless second-half pressure finally paid off when Araújo found the equalizer with 10 minutes remaining.
The result leaves Group H wide open as both teams collected a point in an entertaining contest at Miami’s packed stadium.
Uruguay struggled to find their rhythm in a subdued opening half, despite controlling much of the possession. Their best opportunity before the break came in the 30th minute when Federico Viñas met a cross with a powerful header, only for Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais to make an excellent save.
Saudi Arabia offered a warning of their threat from set pieces in the 38th minute. Al-Amri rose highest to meet a corner kick and forced veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera into a superb stop.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes later. Mohamed Kanno’s header was brilliantly denied by Muslera, but Al-Amri reacted quickest to the loose ball and poked home from close range to give the Green Falcons a 1-0 advantage in the 41st minute.
Uruguay nearly responded before halftime as Viñas again tested Al-Owais, but the Saudi goalkeeper stood firm to preserve his team’s lead heading into the interval.
The South Americans emerged from the locker room with renewed urgency and dominated possession throughout the second half. Midfielder Manuel Ugarte came agonizingly close to leveling the score in the 60th minute when his low strike from distance crashed against the post.
Saudi Arabia continued to defend courageously, frustrating Uruguay’s attack for long stretches while Al-Owais produced a series of crucial interventions.
The pressure finally broke the Saudi resistance in the 80th minute. After Viñas saw another header saved by Al-Owais, the rebound fell kindly for Araújo, who calmly steered the ball into the net from close range to make it 1-1.
Uruguay pushed aggressively for a winner in the closing stages. Substitute Brian Rodríguez curled a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area before Al-Owais produced two outstanding saves in stoppage time, denying Nicolás de la Cruz and Federico Valverde to preserve the draw.
While Uruguay will be disappointed not to secure all three points after their dominant second-half display, Araújo’s late strike prevented what would have been a damaging opening defeat. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, once again demonstrated their ability to compete with the world’s elite on football’s biggest stage, earning a valuable point and coming within minutes of another memorable World Cup victory.
The draw leaves both nations with work to do as Group H continues, with qualification for the knockout rounds still firmly within reach for both sides.
