Maxi Araujo scored a late Uruguay equaliser to deny Saudi Arabia another memorable opening-game win at a World Cup. <\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia stunned the world when they beat eventual winners Argentina in their first match at the last 2022 tournament in Qatar.<\/p>\n
But they could not hold off a second-half onslaught from Uruguay – who ended with 28 shots on goal – as Marcelo Bielsa’s South American side earned a point in the Group H encounter.<\/p>\n
Abdulelah al Amri turned the ball home four minutes before the half-time break after Hassan al Tambakti’s bullet header from a corner was parried by Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera to put Saudi Arabia into the lead and dreaming of another remarkable victory.<\/p>\n
However, ex-Leeds boss Bielsa made a double change at the break – including taking off the ineffective former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez – and it brought more energy into his team.<\/p>\n
Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al Owais tipped a low strike from Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte onto the post as Uruguay piled on the pressure.<\/p>\n
But Araujo got the equaliser with 10 minutes to go after Al Owais pushed Federico Vinas’ header towards the Uruguay attacker.<\/p>\n
Al Owais made nine saves including getting down late to tip a fierce stoppage-time effort from Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde round the post.<\/p>\n