Maxi Araújo struck in the 80th minute to earn Uruguay a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday. Abdulelah Al-Amri had given the Saudis a lead in the 41st minute after a rebound.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Uruguay finally found the breakthrough late, and it came in the shape of Maxi Araújo’s rebound finish.
Abdulelah Al-Amri had put Saudi Arabia ahead in the 41st minute. converting a quick tap-in after Fernando Muslera palmed away a header. Four minutes from the end of normal time. Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais kept Uruguay at bay again and again. turning the match into a long chase for La Celeste.
But in the 80th minute, Uruguay’s control of the second half translated into a goal. Araújo fired a rebound past Al-Owais from close range to level the scores at 1-1, completing a night where Uruguay dominated possession and pressure yet had to wait until the closing stages.
Uruguay controlled most of the second half and carried the numbers: 28 attempts on goal to Saudi Arabia’s seven. Still, they didn’t score until Araújo’s effort arrived after the game’s balance had been tilted back toward the Saudis by their late resilience.
It was the fourth international goal for Araújo and the second he has scored at Hard Rock Stadium. home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. For Saudi Arabia, the emotions came in waves. Al-Amri’s goal triggered a moment of celebration. then a deeper reaction when he fell to his knees with his head down on the pitch as he was showered with cheers from Saudi Arabia fans.
The supporters were greatly outnumbered in South Florida, but loud enough to feel like a home advantage at times—especially after Al-Amri’s earlier miss. In the first half, Al-Amri had a shot denied by Muslera.
Uruguay’s response was steady rather than sudden. The equalizer was their payoff, but it also came after several key stops from Al-Owais. He denied a point-blank header from Federico Vinas in the first half. He then got his fingertips to Manuel Ugarte in the 61st minute. In stoppage time, Al-Owais kept the draw from slipping away again, denying Federico Valverde.
Saudi Arabia, despite surrendering the lead late, held firm until the end of the contest’s momentum shift. It was a reminder of the gap between territory and reward—Uruguay had the chances, but Saudi Arabia had the sharpness when it mattered most.
Monday’s draw also landed inside a surprising day for Group H. The group includes Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde. Cape Verde, making its World Cup debut, held heavily favored Spain to a scoreless draw in Atlanta.
For Saudi Arabia, the memory of World Cup history sat close to the surface. Four years ago, the same tournament opened with a moment many fans still talk about: Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi and eventual champion Argentina 2-1 in Saudi Arabia’s opening match in 2022.
Uruguay’s night at Hard Rock Stadium carried its own long view. Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930 and will host a match commemorating the tournament’s centennial in 2030. Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup in 2034.
Among the crowd were FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, former NFL star Chad Ochocinco, and longtime Uruguay standout Luis Suárez. Suárez, Messi’s teammate with Inter Miami, was not picked to represent his country at this tournament.
For Uruguay, the late equalizer means a point and a reminder: even in control, you have to wait for the opening. For Saudi Arabia, it’s a hard-earned result that keeps them competitive in a group that already delivered shocks—starting with Spain being held in Cape Verde’s debut.
Uruguay Saudi Arabia Maxi Araújo Abdulelah Al-Amri World Cup Hard Rock Stadium Muslera Al-Owais Group H Federico Valverde Federico Vinas Manuel Ugarte