Maxi Araujo scored with 10 minutes of normal time remaining to earn Uruguay a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in FIFA World Cup 2026™ Group H at Miami Stadium on Monday 15 June.
Abdulelah Al Amri had put Saudi Arabia ahead shortly before half-time, but Uruguay’s late pressure finally told as Araujo converted a rebound to deny the Green Falcons a famous opening win. The result left Group H finely poised, with all four teams level on a point after World Cup debutants Cabo Verde held Spain to a goalless draw earlier in the day.
How the match unfolded in Miami
Uruguay began on the front foot and created the first clear chances of the contest. Araujo forced a smart save from Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, who then produced an even better stop to keep out Federico Viñas’ diving header as the South Americans pressed for an early breakthrough.
Saudi Arabia’s first real threat arrived from a set-piece, and it served as an early warning. From a corner, Fernando Muslera reacted brilliantly to keep out a snap-shot from Al Amri. Uruguay, however, failed to take heed as another dead-ball situation soon caused problems in the penalty area.
The opening goal came after Muslera could only parry Mohamed Kanno’s header. Al Amri reacted quickest to the loose ball, converting the rebound in the 41st minute to put Saudi Arabia 1-0 up and reward their growing threat from corners and deliveries into the box.
Uruguay responded after the break by stepping up their search for an equaliser. Viñas flashed another header wide as the pressure built, and the visitors came close when Al Owais was beaten by a long-range effort from Manuel Ugarte, only for the thunderbolt to crash back off the woodwork.
As Saudi Arabia dropped deep inside their own half to protect the lead, Uruguay continued to probe and push numbers forward. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute. Viñas’ header proved too hot for Al Owais to handle, and Araujo was on hand to bury the follow-up and make it 1-1.
Uruguay looked for a late winner, with Federico Valverde testing Al Owais as the match entered its closing stages. Saudi Arabia, though, held firm to secure what FIFA described as a “priceless point” in their Group H opener.
Goals
Saudi Arabia: Al Amri (41)
Uruguay: Araujo (80)
Key moments
Uruguay started brightly, with Al Owais making key saves from Araujo and Viñas.
Saudi Arabia struck first through Al Amri after a set-piece scramble following Kanno’s header.
Uruguay hit the woodwork through Ugarte’s long-range effort in the second half.
Araujo levelled late after a Viñas header was spilled by Al Owais.
What it means for Group H
The draw ensured there was no early separation in Group H. With Saudi Arabia and Uruguay sharing the points, and Cabo Verde’s surprise goalless draw with Spain earlier in the day, all four teams ended the opening round level on one point apiece.
There were also notable individual milestones and honours from the match. At 39 years and 364 days, Fernando Muslera became the oldest player to represent Uruguay at a World Cup, surpassing Diego Godín’s previous record by more than three years. Meanwhile, Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde was named the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match.
Saudi Arabia forward Salem Al-Dawsari said his side “deserved to win” after what he called a good start, adding that the team would look to correct mistakes in the next match as they aim to move closer to qualification.