◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Maximiliano Araújo scores to help Uruguay salvage a late 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia..

Uruguay and secured a late 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in their opening Group H match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Tuesday.

In the first half, Viñas' close-range header was spectacularly saved, while Al-Amri with a close-range follow-up shot successfully ended up in the back of the net. In the second half, Canobbio was fouled by a Saudi Arabian player who deliberately raised his leg while lying on the ground, sparking controversy as the referee ignored the foul. Ugarte's long-range shot hit the post, and Al-Buraikan's clearance nearly resulted in an own goal. At a crucial moment, Maximiliano Araújo scored from close range follow-up shot. Ultimately, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia drew 1-1. After this round of matches, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia are temporarily ranked first and second in the group with one point each.

First Half

In the 5th minute, Matías Viña passes horizontally from the left wing, Maximiliano Araújo quickly followed up, got the ball and adjusted his angle before volleying with his left foot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Mohammed Al-Owais.

In the 30th minute, Rodrigo Bentancur crossed it into the box from the right wing. Maximiliano Araújo headed across, and Federico Viñas quickly followed up and attempted with a header from a very close distance in the box, however his effort was spectacularly saved by Al-Owais. Uruguay missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock!

8 minutes later, Saudi Arabia had a free-kick opportunity. Musab Al-Juwayr took the corner by crossing it into the across. Firas al-Buraikan headed it across, Abdulelah al-Amri quickly followed up and got the ball before volleying with his right foot from the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Fernando Muslera.

In the 41st minute, Saudi Arabia deadly a crucial corner kick opportunity. Al-Juwayr took the corner by crossing it into the box. Hassan Al-Tambakti attempted with his header in the box, however his effort was saved and cleared off not far away by Muslera. After picking up the loose ball, Al-Amri volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from a very close distance of the box, giving Saudi Arabia a shock 1-0 lead!

4 minutes later, Uruguay won a free kick opportunity. Maximiliano Araújo took the free kick by crossing it into the box. Sebastián Cáceres rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Al-Owais.

At halftime, Uruguay enter the break temporarily trailed Saudi Arabia by 1-0.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 56th minute, Agustín Canobbio was brought down on the right flank while trying to win the ball back, by Moteb Al-Harbi, who was lying on the ground and deliberately raised his leg. The Uruguayan players immediately protested, but the referee refused to intervene, sparking controversy and even drawing boos from the fans!

4 minutes later, Bentancur passes horizontally from the right wing. Manuel Ugarte quickly followed up and got the ball before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot unfortunately struck the bottom left corner of the post and bounced off, Uruguay missed a golden opportunity to equalize against Saudi Arabia!

In the 73rd minute, Uruguay won a corner opportunity. Federico Valverde took the corner by crossing it into the box. Firas Al-Blekam nearly scored an own goal while heading the ball away, but fortunately, the ball hit the top right side netting, and Saudi Arabia escaped a close call!

7 minutes later, Mathías Olivera crossed into the box the from the left wing. Viñas rose high and attempted with a header in the box. His effort was initially saved and cleared off not far away by Al-Owais. Maximiliano Araújo quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net with his right foot from the left side of the box. Uruguay equalized against Saudi Arabia at 1-1!

In the 83rd minute, Brian Rodríguez followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot went just slightly wide of the right side of the post.

4 minutes later, Saudi Arabia launched a quick counter-attack. Mohammed Kanno intercepted the ball before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area. His shot was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by Oliveira. Saud Abdelhamid quickly followed up, picked up loose ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed follow-up shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot ball went just slightly over the crossbar.

In the third minute of injury time, Uruguay earned a corner kick opportunity. Rodríguez took the tactical corner. Federico Valverde quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Al-Owais.

When the final whistle is blown, Uruguay managed to force Saudi Arabia into a late 1-1 draw. It is worth mentioning that, Al-Owais, who made 9 successful saves in the match, broke the record previously held by 40-year-old Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozniha, by becoming the goalkeeper with the most successful saves in a single match so far in this World Cup.

Image source: Internet / Associated Press