MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A late goal from Maxi Araújo gave the large crowd of Uruguay supporters at Hard Rock Stadium something to celebrate Monday, as La Celeste fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in their World Cup Group H opener.
Despite the comeback, Uruguay’s players were far from satisfied with how the match unfolded.
“We gave it away. We have to be honest,” midfielder Federico Valverde said in Spanish following the result.
Valverde was blunt in his assessment of the first half: “We gave away the first half. We didn’t play the way we had trained. It wasn’t what we were aiming for. We rushed things too much. We wanted to win the game in the very first minute. Sometimes you need a bit more patience and just play our game. We improved a lot in the second half.”
Saudi Arabia took the lead when Abdulelah Al-Amri tapped in a rebound in the 41st minute after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera palmed away a header. Al-Amri had already tested Muslera earlier in the half before finally breaking through. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the pitch in celebration as Saudi fans — though heavily outnumbered — roared their approval.
Araújo answered in the 80th minute, blasting a rebound past Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais from close range to level the score. It was the fourth international goal of Araújo’s career and his second scored at Hard Rock Stadium, which serves as the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
Uruguay controlled the ball for the majority of the match and generated 29 shot attempts compared to just seven for Saudi Arabia, yet found themselves trailing deep into the second half.
Al-Owais was a key reason for that, turning away a close-range header from Federico Vinas in the first half, getting his fingertips on a Manuel Ugarte attempt in the 61st minute, and later denying Valverde during stoppage time.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa, speaking through an interpreter, reflected on how the dynamic of the game shifted: “When a team that is supposed to make a difference cannot do it, in terms of being dangerous or dominating the ball, then the weaker team actually dares to do something.”
Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis, who took over just two months ago after Hervé Renard was let go, viewed the result more positively. Speaking through an interpreter, he praised Uruguay’s quality while expressing satisfaction with earning a point.
“Uruguay is a team that is very energetic,” Donis said. “The players are well experienced, and there is depth on the bench. … When you’re faced with such an opponent, getting one point is a positive.”
Donis acknowledged he is still getting to know his squad but felt encouraged by the performance. “I need to get to know my team better,” he said. “I need to create a team that is competitive, and it only makes sense that we need time to do this. Today’s outcome gives us an advantage.”
The draw was part of a surprising day across Group H. Cape Verde, competing in their very first World Cup, held heavily favored Spain to a scoreless draw in Atlanta.
“The draw involving Spain may be the biggest surprise in this World Cup,” Donis said. “Cape Verde was very competitive, very strong. It’s not like the (group) favorites changed. It’s Spain and Uruguay.”
Monday’s match also carried historical weight. Uruguay hosted the very first World Cup back in 1930 and is set to host a centennial match in 2030, while Saudi Arabia will serve as host of the 2034 tournament.
Notable figures in attendance included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, former NFL player Chad Ochocinco, and longtime Uruguay standout Luis Suárez — currently a teammate of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami — who was not selected to represent his country at this tournament.
