Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 10:48 GMT+7

Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener

Saudi Arabia and Uruguay played out a 1-1 draw in their Group H World Cup opener on Monday after Abdulelah Al Amri's opener for the Gulf nation was cancelled out by Maxi Araujo in a game where both sides profited from goalkeeping errors.

Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Saudi Arabia v Uruguay - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Owais makes a save from Uruguay's Sebastian Caceres. Photo: Reuters

The first half ⁠was dominated by Uruguay but Saudi Arabia took the lead against the run of play in the 41st minute when Fernando Muslera made a costly error on a set-piece, parrying the ball into the path of Al Amri who poked the ball past the veteran keeper.

Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener - Ảnh 1.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Saudi Arabia v Uruguay - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Uruguay's Maxi Araujo scores their first goal. Photo: Reuters

The ‌majority ⁠of the second period was played in Saudi Arabia's half as Uruguay frantically searched for an equaliser and their persistence paid off when goalkeeper ⁠Mohammed Al Owais also made an error when a save fell nicely for Araujo to fire home.

The draw ⁠leaves Group H finely poised after the first round of games following Spain's draw ⁠with Cape Verde earlier on Monday, with all four teams on one point each.

Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener - Ảnh 2.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Saudi Arabia v Uruguay - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Saudi Arabia's Abdulelah Al-Amri in action with Uruguay's Juan Manuel Sanabria. Photo: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener - Ảnh 3.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Saudi Arabia v Uruguay - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Saudi Arabia's Ali Lajami in action with Uruguay's Mathias Olivera. Photo: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Uruguay held to 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia in World Cup opener - Ảnh 4.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Saudi Arabia v Uruguay - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Uruguay's Maxi Araujo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. Photo: Reuters

Reuters
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