Maxi Araujo scored a late Uruguay equaliser to deny Saudi Arabia another memorable opening-game win at a World Cup. Saudi Arabia stunned the footballing world when they beat eventual winners Argentina in their first match at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. However, they could not hold off a second-half onslaught from Uruguay, who ended with 28 shots on goal, as Marcelo Bielsa's South American side earned a point in the Group H encounter.
Abdulelah al Amri turned the ball home 4 minutes before the half-time break after Hassan al Tambakti's bullet header from a corner was parried by Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera to put Saudi Arabia into the lead. Ex-Leeds boss Bielsa made a double change at the break, including taking off the ineffective former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, which brought more energy into his team. Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al Owais tipped a low strike from Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte onto the post as Uruguay piled on the pressure.
Araujo finally got the equaliser with 10 minutes to go after Al Owais pushed Federico Vinas' header towards the Uruguay attacker. Al Owais made 9 saves in total, including getting down late to tip a fierce stoppage-time effort from Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde round the post. Following Cape Verde's shock draw with Spain, Group H is now wide open as Saudi Arabia try to reach the knockout stages for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Nunez can probably count himself lucky that he started this game given he barely played football since February. The forward's move to Al-Hilal turned sour after he was omitted from their Saudi Pro-League squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema midway through the season. The 26-year-old scored 9 goals in 24 appearances but his lack of game time saw him dropped to the bench for Uruguay's March friendlies. Uruguay looked significantly better after his withdrawal, though he received little service, recording just 8 touches, his lowest tally ever in a start for his national team. Uruguay would win this game but for the brilliance of Al Owais, and it remains to be seen if Bielsa gives Nunez another chance against Cape Verde.
-BBC
