Araujo strikes late to deny Saudi opening-day victory

By Enitan Abdultawab

Maxi Araujo scored a late equalizer to save Uruguay a point and deny Saudi Arabia another famous opening-game victory at the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia, who famously shocked eventual champions Argentina in their opening match of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, looked on course for another major upset in the Group H encounter before a second-half fightback from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

The goal came four minutes before the halftime interval. Hassan al Tambakti’s powerful header from a corner was parried by veteran Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, allowing Abdulelah al Amri to react quickest and convert from close range to put the Green Falcons ahead.

Now faced with a deficit, former Leeds United manager Bielsa made a tactical double-change at the break. Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was substituted after an ineffective first half as Uruguay sought to inject more energy into their attacking play.

The substitution ignited a relentless second-half performance from the South American side as they finished the match with 28 shots on goal.

Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed al Owais produced a standout performance to keep his side ahead, notably tipping a low strike from Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte onto the post.

Uruguay’s intense pressure finally paid off with 10 minutes remaining. Al Owais parried a header from Federico Vinas, but could only push it into the path of Araujo, who finished from close range to level the score.

Al Owais made nine saves in total, including a diving stoppage-time stop to turn a fierce effort from Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde around the post and secure a point for his side.

Following Cape Verde’s unexpected draw with Spain earlier in the day, Group H remains entirely open as Saudi Arabia continue their bid to reach the knockout stages for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

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