Uruguay rescues late point against Saudi Arabia at World Cup

Uruguay left it late to snatch a point against Saudi Arabia in a 1-1 draw at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving Group H wide open. The match took place on June 15, 2026, in Miami.

Saudi Arabia took an unexpected lead when Abdulelah Al Amri scored in the 41st minute, capitalizing on a mistake by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who could only parry Hassan Al Tambakti's header. Despite the setback, Uruguay intensified their attack in the second half and managed to level the score through Maxi Araujo, who fired in a rebound from close range in the 80th minute.

This result placed all four teams in Group H on equal footing with one point each, making for an intriguing tournament narrative. Earlier, Cape Verde had stunned European champions Spain with a goalless draw, heightening the unpredictability in the group.

Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais of Saudi Arabia was instrumental in the draw, delivering a standout performance with nine saves to offset Uruguay’s numerous attempts, particularly in the second half. Although he was criticized for the rebound that led to Araujo's equalizer, Al-Owais's overall game helped maintain the tie.

The opening match outcomes hinted at a historic World Cup for underdogs, with Asian teams remaining unbeaten, while South America’s teams faced challenges. As it stood, Saudi Arabia achieved a positive result that could work in their favor as they look to progress from the group.

Looking forward, the next matches in Group H scheduled for Sunday will see Cape Verde take on Uruguay in Miami and Spain go against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, promising more thrilling encounters as the tournament progresses.