Saudi Arabia and Uruguay share the spoils (1-1): Al Amri and Araujo decide it in Miami

Saudi Arabia and Uruguay drew 1-1 in a Group H opener that left both sides feeling they could have taken more at this 2026 World Cup. The match, played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens (USA), a 64,478-seat arena known for its vibrant atmosphere and the warm South Florida climate, had it all: tactical discipline, craft and two goals on either side of the break.

The Saudis struck first. In the 41st minute, defender Abdullah Al Amri popped up to make it 1-0 and send his side into the dressing room in front. Just three minutes later, in the 44th, Al Amri himself was shown the yellow card, the only notable booking of the night, in an action that captured the tension of the contest.

Uruguay, true to Marcelo Bielsa's competitive stamp, refused to give in and found their reward late on. In the 80th minute, Maximiliano Araujo netted the 1-1 that levelled the scoreboard and brought justice to a game La Celeste had deserved to draw through sheer persistence.

In the line-ups, Saudi Arabia set up in a 4-4-2 under Georgios Donis, with Mohammed Al Owais between the posts and Salem Al Dawsari as the attacking beacon. Uruguay answered with Bielsa's 4-2-3-1, Fernando Muslera in goal and a midfield of real pedigree featuring Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde, plus Darwin Núñez up front.

The shared points leave Group H wide open: both nations have their first point and now must chase a win in the coming rounds to set their qualification on track at a 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams and spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada.