7M - Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay: Al-Owais Heroics Help Gutsy Saudi Arabia Hold Uruguay to 1-1 Draw in Miami

A stunning masterclass from goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais inspired Saudi Arabia to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their World Cup Group H opener in Miami.

While a late equaliser denied the Green Falcons a historic victory, Al-Owais’s sensational player-of-the-match performance successfully frustrated Marcelo Bielsa’s side and earned his team a priceless point.

Saudi Arabia sent shockwaves through the stadium late in the first half. In the 41st minute, Mohamed Kanno’s powerful header was parried by veteran Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, allowing Abdulelah Al-Amri to pounce on the rebound and poke the ball home, giving the underdogs a surprise lead.

Stung by the scoreline, Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa shook things up at the interval, withdrawing former Liverpool frontman Darwin Nunez to inject more urgency into his attack. The South American giants dominated the second half but found Al-Owais in seemingly unbeatable form. The Saudi shot-stopper made a string of world-class saves, including tipping a fierce effort from Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte onto the woodwork just on the hour mark.

Uruguay’s relentless pressure finally paid off ten minutes from time. Another Al-Owais save from a Federico Vinas header fell perfectly into the path of Maxi Araujo, who smashed the ball in from a tight angle to rescue a point for the two-time World Cup winners.

Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde almost snatched a stoppage-time winner for Uruguay, but Al-Owais appropriately had the final say, turning the midfielder's goal-bound strike around the post.

With both teams tied on one point, their attention now turns to Cape Verde. A victory for either nation in the upcoming fixtures will put them in a commanding position to progress to the knockout stages.