Saudi Arabia opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a resilient 1-1 draw against Uruguay on Monday, 15 June, at Miami Stadium, earning a valuable point in their first Group H match.
Abdulelah Al-Amri gave the Green Falcons the lead in the 41st minute, reacting quickly after Fernando Muslera failed to hold a header from Hassan Tambakti following a Saudi corner. Uruguay equalised late in the second half through Maxi Araújo, who fired home in the 80th minute after Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais parried a header into danger.
The result leaves Group H wide open after Spain were also held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde earlier in the day. Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Spain, and Cape Verde all sit on one point after the opening round of matches.
Saudi Arabia will next face Spain at Atlanta Stadium on 21 June, in a match that could prove decisive in shaping the group.
Uruguay entered the match as favourites, led by head coach Marcelo Bielsa and a squad featuring Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez, Manuel Ugarte, and Araújo.
Saudi Arabia, coached by Georgios Donis, arrived at the tournament seeking another statement result on the World Cup stage after their famous 2-1 victory over Argentina in Qatar in 2022.
Uruguay controlled large parts of the first half but struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, stayed compact defensively and looked to threaten from set pieces and quick transitions.
The breakthrough came four minutes before halftime. Musab Al-Juwayr delivered a corner into the box, Tambakti’s header forced Muslera into a save, and Al-Amri reacted quickest to finish from close range and give Saudi Arabia a surprise 1-0 lead.
Al-Amri was booked shortly afterwards following a challenge on Araújo, while Uruguay pushed for a response before the break. Araújo and Federico Viñas both tested Al-Owais late in the half, but Saudi Arabia held firm to go into halftime ahead.
Uruguay made changes at the interval, with Bielsa reshaping his side and moving Valverde into a more central role. The South American side began the second half with greater urgency, nearly equalising within the first minute when Viñas’ low header was pushed away by Al-Owais.
The Saudi goalkeeper was called into action repeatedly as Uruguay increased the pressure. In the 60th minute, Ugarte came close to levelling the match with a low strike that hit the post after Al-Owais appeared to get a crucial touch on the effort.
Saudi Arabia spent much of the second half defending deep, with Tambakti, Al-Amri, and the midfield line working to absorb Uruguay’s pressure. Al-Owais produced several important saves, including from set pieces and long-range efforts, as the Green Falcons tried to protect their lead.
Uruguay’s equaliser eventually arrived in the 80th minute. A cross from the left found Viñas, whose header was parried by Al-Owais into the path of Araújo. The Uruguay winger controlled his finish well, striking past the Saudi goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
Saudi Arabia made changes late in the match, including the introduction of Nawaf Boushal for Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, while Uruguay continued to push for a winner. Al-Owais produced one of the saves of the match in stoppage time, denying Nicolás de la Cruz before reacting again to keep out a low Valverde effort from distance.
Despite the late pressure, Saudi Arabia held on for a hard-earned draw against one of South America’s strongest teams. The result gives the Green Falcons a strong foundation in a difficult group, but their next test will be even greater against Spain.
With all four teams level on points after the first round of Group H matches, Saudi Arabia’s meeting with Spain on 21 June could play a major role in determining their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
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