Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay: Araujo rescues point for two-time World Cup winners | OneFootball

Saudi Arabia displayed a monumental defensive effort to grab an impressive draw against a Uruguay side who improved hugely as the game went on a stifling World Cup encounter at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Uruguay headed into this game having not played any preparation friendlies since March and having had constant chaos behind the scenes, they played out the first half of this contest like a team going that had experienced just that.

A slow and disjointed display was punished by the Saudi’s when a header from Hassam Al-Tambakti was parried by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera straight into the path of Abduleah Al-Amiri, to potentially set up yet another shock in Group H.

Maxi Araujo was on hand to rescue a point for Uruguay with 10 minutes to spare, as all four countries in their group sit level on a single point and have it all to play for heading into the next round of fixtures.

As it happened

Uruguay started proceedings in a fashion un-typical of Bielsa, they tried to draw Saudi Arabia out in the opening stages. The South Americans forced an early save from keeper Mohammed Al-Owais curtsey of a Maxi Araujo.

The two-time winners looked disjointed as the game grew on and Saudi Arabia continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack, yet both sides failed to make any impact by the time of the first hydration break.

Early on it was Uruguay who had all the chances as they tested Al-Owais once again when Federico Vinas’ diving header from around the penalty spot was acrobatically parried away.

Saudi Arabia enjoyed a good spell before the break which accumulated in two good openings, first for Musab Al-Juwayr who forced a strong save from the veteran keeper Fernando Muslera before another cross was hardly delt with as Uruguay’s defensive frailties were tested as the Saudi’s continued to look strong especially on the left hand side with Abdul Al-Shamat.

They shortly failed that test as a headed effort from Al Tambakti was only parried by the veteran Muslera straight into the path of Al Amri, who bundled home the opener for Saudi Arabia in the 41st minute.

Uruguay tried to respond with some half-chances and pressure as the game began to open up, forcing a comfortable save once again from Al-Owais. Whilst they looked to move the ball quickly and attack the full-backs one-on-one, their lack of cohesion caused almost every attack to break down.

Al-Owais continued to impress as the second half went on, producing a good save from a diving Canobbio header, he had replaced Darwin Nunez at half-time in a much needed shake-up from Bielsa.

Uruguay continued to have a lot of the ball without offering much in the way of attacking threat. The only real chance coming when Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte saw his effort deflect back off the bar.

With Saudi Arabia sitting in a compact shape at the edge of their box, Uruguay were forced to continue with balls into the box which the middle-eastern side delt with.

Switching from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2, Saudi Arabia continued to invite Uruguayan pressure and challenge the favourites with Bielsa’s side offering no reply to their defensive shape.

What didn’t help Uruguay was them having Captain and best player Federico Valverde deputised on the right wing as opposed to centrally, this cut his impact on the game significantly.

But the Saudi solidity couldn’t hold, as good save from Al-Owais denied Federico Vinas but right midfielder Araujo was on hand to bury the follow up in the 80th minute.

Uruguay had been knocking on the door all second-half and finally had finally made the most of an opportunity.

Referee Maurizio Mariani controversially blew for full time as Saudi Arabia appeared to have a break on following Uruguay’s corner in the 96th minute, sparking anger from their players.

Yet despite the frustrating finish and relentless pressure from the South Americans, Al-Owais and his back-line held on valiantly to claim their first point at this years World Cup.

Saudi Arabia will take on favourites Spain next on Sunday 21st of June at 17:00 (BST) and Uruguay play Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium on the same day at 23:00 (BST).

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