MIAMI GARDENS — Maxi Araújo’s late equalizer brought a release of tension more than celebration on Monday, June 15, rescuing Uruguay from a flat performance in South Florida’s World Cup debut.
The thousands of Uruguayans who packed Miami Stadium were surely expecting far more from “La Celeste” and they’ll need much better in six days time with the tournament’s new darling on the horizon.
Uruguay drew underdog Saudi Arabia 1-1 in a Group H match that left head coach Marcelo Bielsa lamenting the favorites’ squandered opportunities. Uruguay, hampered by recent poor results and late travel, generated little through the opening 40 minutes and were repeatedly denied by Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais.
Darwin Núñez — Uruguay’s most prolific scorer and now with Saudi club Al-Hilal — was pulled at halftime as the South American favorites trailed.
“During the first half, the squad did not find its tempo,” Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa said. “They didn’t exert any pressure. They did not provoke any mistakes and they had no depth. I think we were not able to set a difference and the opponent believed that they could do it and they finally were able to do it.”
Buying WC tickets on StubHub
Despite Araújo’s heroics, the pressure will continue to mount for the only team guaranteed to play multiple matches in Miami Gardens.
South Florida will host its second World Cup match on Sunday with Uruguay facing Cape Verde, who provided the surprise of the tournament Monday in drawing powerhouse Spain 0-0.
Bielsa called the draw two lost points instead of a point gained, a sentiment perhaps only strengthened by the opportunity lost after the surprise Spanish draw.
“In the case of today’s match, the fact that we didn’t win and of course our opponents have very high virtues, but this is more linked to the fact that we weren’t able to attain the best versions of ourselves,” Bielsa said. “That’s where the difference is and it’s why we were not able to win.”
Fernando Muslera, Vozinha defying age in goal
A pair of aging goalkeepers were top performers in the shock of Spain and Uruguay’s opening draws.
Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera, 39, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha, 40, were among the brightest stars in Monday’s World Cup action. Vozinha made seven saves in his team’s historic scoreless draw while Muslera parried three promising Saudi Arabian efforts.
Along with 40-year-old German legend Manuel Neuer, the goalkeepers displayed the value of experience at the beginning of a World Cup journey.
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Uruguay disappoints, now World Cup underdog Cape Verde awaits in Miami
Reporting by Eric J. Wallace, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Eric J. Wallace, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
