Araujo strikes late to deny Saudi opening-day victory

n n

By Enitan Abdultawab

n

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

n

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.

n

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.

n

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.

n

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

n

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.

n

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.

n

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.

n

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.

n n