The points were shared in South Florida as Saudi Arabia and Uruguay played to a 1-1 draw in Group H of the World Cup at Miami Stadium.
One would forgive you for thinking the game was played in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, with the majority of the over 62,000 fans in attendance adorned in light-blue jerseys. While the crowd pointed to an Uruguay advantage, it was Saudi Arabia who took the early lead to cast an air of anxiety over the crowd.
Fernando Muslera made multiple saves ahead of a Saudi Arabian corner kick that resulted in the games first goal. The Uruguayan keeper saved a headed effort from Mohamed Kanno, but he couldn’t keep the ball in his possession, and it fell into the path of Abdulelah Al-Amri, who nestled his strike home from close range to give Saudi Arabia a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute.
The Saudi’s looked set for a second consecutive upset of a South American power to open the World Cup; however, Maxi Arajuo delivered the most influential kick of the game with his last contribution for Uruguay. The left winger was quickest to react to a spilled save from Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Owais, who hadn’t put a foot wrong to that point of the match, and Arajuo smashed the equalizer into the roof of the net in the 81st minute.
Al-Owais finished the game with nine saves to keep the score level and not allow Uruguay to snatch three points and control of Group H.
The Palm Beach Post and USA TODAY Network – Florida covered the action at Miami Stadium. Here is a recap and highlights of the action.
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KSA 1 – 1 URU – Final
FINAL: Points are shared as Saudi Arabia draw Uruguay 1-1 in Miami
Uruguay threw everything at Mohammed Al-Owais in the Saudia Ariabi goal for the final 17 minutes of play, but a wall of green jerseys deflected and defended every shot. The Uruguayans ended the game with the 14th corner kick of the game, but couldn’t break the Saudi Arabian resistance.
Al-Owais made nine saves to keep things level. Uruguay outshot Saudi Arabia 29-7, with 11 shots on goal to Saudi Arabia’s three. Despite that, and a 57% to 18% possesion advnatge, Saudi Arabia held off La Celeste for the draw.
80′ Goal! Maxi Araújo ties it for Uruguay
Maxi Araujo reacts the quickest to a spilled save from Mohammed Al-Owais, who has been nearly flawless for Saudi Arabia tonight, and smashes a ball across the goal to tie the game in Miami. Al-Owais saved a header from Federico Vinas, but it fell right to Arajuo, who made no mistake with his strike.
Uruguay had been building in confidence as the half wore on, and the persistent pressure has paid off.
73′ Uruguay’s pressure remains as Le Celeste seeks an equalizer
Uruguay has spent the majority of the half in and around the Saudi Arabia box. Federico Valverde whips in a pair of corner kicks, one that almost ends up in the net via the head of a Saudi Arabian defender. The next flies over the box and to the foot of Nicolas de la Cruz. The freshly substituted winger tries to play a cross into the box, but misses everyone nd the ball goes out of play.
66′ Mohammed Al-Owais comes up with another key save
Uruguay wins a free kick just outside of the box on the left side of the field. Federico Valverde smashes the free-kick goal-bound, but the wall that is Mohammed Al-Owais is there once again to save the strike.
Al-Owais has five saves in the game. It’s going to take something special to beat him tonight.
59′ Manuel Ugarte’s long-range effort hits the post
Uruguay seems destined for a goal, and it almost came from Manuel Ugarte. After receiving the ball in midfield, he takes two dribbles and drives a right-footed shot across the goal, and it rings off the left post.
Mohammed Al-Owais is down and getting treatment by the Saudi Arabian medical staff.
49′ Federico Vinas’s header flashes wide
Much like the first half, the Uruguayans have started brightly. A corner is won by Agustin Canobbio, and on the set piece, Federico Vinas snaps a header towards goal that just curls wide of the left post and out.
A threatening start for La Celeste.
Uruguay makes multiple changes at halftime
Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa has gone to his bench to start the second half. Juan Manuel Sanabria replaces Matías Vina, and Agustin Canobbio replaces Darwin Nunez.
Saudi Arabia starts the half unchanged.
Half: Saudi Arabia leads Uruguay 1-0
An early flurry of pressure for Uruguay created a few chances for La Celeste, but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais made multiple saves to keep Uruguay off the board.
Saudi Arabia created sustained pressure after the first half hydration break, and that resulted in a goal from Abdulelah Al-Amri in the 41′ minute. Fernando Muslera spilled a header, and Al-Amri was the first player to react, smashing his effort into the net.
Shots go in favor of the Saudi’s, 5-3, with three efforts on goal. Uruguay has won the possession battle, holding 55%, but La Celeste has yet to turn possession into goals.
40′ Goal! Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri breaks the deadlock
Saudi Arabia’s pressure has paid off!
Musab Al-Juwayar delivers a floated corner kick to the back post, which is met by the head of Mohamed Kanno. Fernando Muslera makes a save, but he spills the ball, and it drops right into the path of a crashing Abdulelah Al-Amri, who smashes the ball into the net to give Saudi Arabia the 1-0 lead.
36′ Saudi Arabia creates multiple chances, Fernando Muslera makes a pair of top saves
Moteb Al-Harbi dances forward from left back and takes on two Uruguayan defenders, splitting the pair with a classy dribble, before he is fouled about 30 yards away from goal. Musab Al-Juwayr floats the free kick into a crowded penalty box, but Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera punches the ball out for a corner kick.
Al-Juwayr plays the corner kick into the back post, and once again Muslera saves the effort. Saudi Arabia is knocking on the door of the game’s first goal.
29′ Mohammed Al-Owais keeps it scoreless with an impressive save
Uruguay thought they had the breakthrough after a lobbed ball from Rodrigo Bentancur to the back post. Maxi Aruajo heads a ball towards Federico Vinas, but Mohammed Al-Owais flies through the air to make a diving save.
It’s the second big chance for the Uruguayans, but the game remains scoreless.
19′ Uruguay’s free kick creates some chaos in the box
Matias Vina draws a foul near the corner flag, which allows a whipped free kick to enter the Saudi Arabia box. Despite a few desperate touches goalward, the Uruguayans can’t find the breakthrough. Vina has played exclusively on the touchline and is holding wide for Uruguay. He’s seen a lot of the ball.
Saudi Arabia breaks forward and towards the Uruguay side of the field to neutralize the threat.
14′ Saudi Arabia grows into the game, survives early Uruguay press
The first five minutes of action were dictated by Uruguay, whose high-pressure stifled Saudi Arabia. Each touch from a Saudi Arabian player was met with two or three light blue shirts crashing towards them like ocean waves arriving on the Miami Beach shores.
Saudi Arabia has since grown into the game and has slowed the game’s pace, which will favor them. Two shots from Uruguay to Saudi Arabia’s zero so far.
5′ Uruguay on the front foot early
Maxi Araujo’s long-range effort is saved by Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Owais and out for a corner kick.
The Uruguayan high press, a staple of head coach Marcelo Bielsa, has given Saudi Ariba a few nervous moments to start the match.
Kickoff! Saudi Arabia gets the first World Cup game in Miami underway
Saudi Arabia gets the first game of the World Cup from Miami officially underway!
The crowd leans favorably towards Uruguay, which joined in with a booming rendition of the country’s national anthem before kickoff. The iconic light blue of the two-time World Cup winners paints the grandstands with sprinkles of green from the Saudi Arabia supporters standing out in opposition.
There are noticeable amounts of empty seats.
A win for either side will boost hopes of qualification for the knockout rounds after Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in the Group H opener. It is 92 degrees at kickoff.
The weather looks mostly clear from Miami Stadium
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the weather looks mostly clear from Miami Stadium. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay should start on time.
FIFA does not have an official lighting policy, but in the 2025 Club World Cup, lighting delays were prevalent. Typically, there was a 30-minute mandatory delay. That is expected to continue in the World Cup if there is a lightning strike within eight to 10 miles of the stadium. Each additional strike adds another half-hour to the delay.
Saudi Arabia fans get a boost with flags behind the team’s bench
Hundreds of Saudi Arabian flags are placed behind the nation’s bench for fans to wave.
While the crowd in Miami is expected to be pro-Uruguay, the Saudi Arabian contingent will be well represented and equipped.
Saudi Arabia starting XI
Uruguay starting XI
Uruguay arrives in Miami after travel disruption
The Uruguayan team’s arrival in Miami was far from straightforward, as the plane set to carry the team to South Florida was delayed in Mexico on Sunday afternoon. The team eventually departed for Miami late Sunday night, hours after a reported paperwork issue kept the two-time World Cup winners from leaving on time.
The Uruguayan team spokesman told The Athletic that FIFA was to blame. FIFA downplayed the incident, saying “an airline permitting issue” was to blame.
How that impacts the team, if at all, will be something to monitor for the Uruguayan’s against Saudi Arabia.
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Where is Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay playing?
The Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay World Cup match is at Miami Stadium, also known as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and college football’s Miami Hurricanes.
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World Cup schedule
Here’s a look at today’s World Cup matches. All times Eastern.
Miami World Cup games
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Miami World Cup tickets
The next World Cup match scheduled for Hard Rock Stadium is Uruguay vs. Cape Verde on Sunday, June 21. Tickets are available on StubHub starting at $463.
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World Cup weather update: Miami forecast
AccuWeather projects the temperature to be 92 degrees with partly sunny skies at kickoff in Miami Gardens, Florida. A heat advisory is in effect as of 4 p.m., and will remain in effect until 6 p.m., when the game is expected to start.
A slight threat of storms is present.
Saudi Arabia soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the Group H schedule for Saudi Arabia. All times Eastern.
Saudi Arabia soccer players
The Saudi Arabian team features nine players who saw time in the team’s upset of Argentina at Qatar 2022. See the full Saudi Arabia World Cup roster.
Uruguay soccer schedule
Here’s a look at the Group H schedule for Uruguay. All times Eastern.
Uruguay soccer players
The Uruguayan team features 15 players who were part of the team that took part in Qatar 2022. See the full Uruguay World Cup roster.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay highlights, recap: Miami Stadium hosts a draw
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, Liam Rooney, Hal Habib and Eric J. Wallace, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
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By Dan Rorabaugh, Liam Rooney, Hal Habib and Eric J. Wallace, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
