Uruguay were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the sweltering Miami heat on Monday, despite dominating large stretches of the contest, as Group H was thrown wide open after the opening round of matches.
The result came just hours after one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history, with European champions Spain held to a goalless draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde. With all four teams drawing their opening matches, each side sits on one point heading into the second round of fixtures.
Saudi Arabia stunned Uruguay by taking the lead four minutes before half-time through defender Abdulelah Al-Amri, who reacted quickest after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera spilled a header from a corner. However, Uruguay’s relentless second-half pressure eventually paid off when Maxi Araujo struck 10 minutes from time to rescue a point.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side completely controlled proceedings after the break, peppering the Saudi goal with 22 second-half attempts. Yet a combination of resolute defending and an inspired display from goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais prevented the South Americans from claiming all three points.
“We should have won this match,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said afterwards.
“We weren’t able to show the best version of ourselves,” added the Argentine, acknowledging that his team only found their rhythm after the interval.
Uruguay’s preparations had been far from ideal. The two-time world champions, winners in 1930 and 1950, arrived in the United States later than planned after paperwork issues delayed their flight from Mexico.
In oppressive conditions, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and high humidity draining energy levels, clear-cut chances were initially hard to come by. Al-Owais was first called into serious action just after the half-hour mark, producing a fine save to deny Federico Vinas’ close-range diving header.
Saudi Arabia, who famously shocked eventual champions Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Shortly before the break, Al-Amri tested Muslera with a powerful effort before finding the net moments later to give the Green Falcons a surprise advantage.
Recognising the need for change, Bielsa made a bold double substitution at half-time, withdrawing defender Matias Vina and the largely ineffective Darwin Nunez. Agustin Canobbio and Juan Manuel Sanabria were introduced, instantly injecting greater urgency and creativity into Uruguay’s play.
The momentum shifted dramatically. Saudi coach Georgios Donis, appointed only two months before the tournament, watched as his side were pushed deeper and deeper into their own half.
On the hour mark, Manuel Ugarte came agonisingly close to equalising when the Manchester United midfielder rattled the foot of the post with a powerful long-range strike.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute. Al-Owais failed to deal with what appeared to be a routine save, and Araujo reacted quickest to convert the rebound and level the scores.
With Uruguay surging forward in search of a winner, it seemed only a matter of time before the decisive goal arrived. However, Saudi Arabia dug deep, weathered the late storm and held on for a valuable point that keeps their hopes of progressing from Group H firmly alive.
AFP
