Kolkata : Maxi Araujo scored late to cancel out Abdulelah Al Amri’s first-half strike as Uruguay and Saudi Arabia shared the spoils in FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H.
The South Americans started brightly in Miami, with Araujo forcing a smart save from Mohammed Al Owais before the Saudi goalkeeper produced an even better stop to deny Federico Vinas’s diving header.
Saudi Arabia’s first real threat came from a corner, when Fernando Muslera reacted brilliantly to keep out a snap-shot from Al Amri – but Uruguay failed to heed the warning.
Another set-piece caused havoc in the box and, after Muslera could only parry Mohamed Kanno’s header, Al Amri reacted quickest to convert the rebound and give the Green Falcons the lead.
Vinas flashed another header wide as Uruguay stepped up their search for an equaliser in the second half. Owais was beaten soon after, but Manuel Ugarte’s long-range thunderbolt crashed back off the woodwork.
With Saudi Arabia camped deep inside their own half, Uruguay’s pressure finally paid off with 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Vinas’s header was too hot for Owais to handle, and Araujo was on hand to bury the follow-up.
Federico Valverde tested Owais as Uruguay pushed for a late winner, but Saudi Arabia held on for a priceless point, leaving all four Group H teams level following World Cup debutants Cabo Verde’s shock goalless draw with Spain earlier in the day.
