06/15/26 07:19:00
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06/15 19:17 CDT Uruguay's Maxi Arajo scores equalizer in 1-1 World Cup draw
with Saudi Arabia
Uruguay's Maxi Arajo scores equalizer in 1-1 World Cup draw with Saudi Arabia
By ALANIS THAMES
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) --- Abdulelah Al-Amri scored on a rebound in the 41st
minute for Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay's Maxi Arajo responded with an equalizer
in the 80th as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener on
Monday.
Uruguay controlled most of the second half but didn't break through until
Arajo fired a rebound past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais from close range. La
Celeste dominated possession and had 28 attempts on goal to Saudi Arabia's
seven but trailed until late in the second half.
It was the fourth international goal for Arajo and second at Hard Rock
Stadium, home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins.
Al-Amri, who had a shot denied by Uruguay's Fernando Muslera earlier in the
first half, put his squad ahead with a quick tap-in after Muslera palmed away a
header.
Al-Amri fell to his knees after the goal and placed his head down on the pitch
as he was showered with cheers from Saudi Arabia fans, who were greatly
outnumbered in South Florida but loud enough to make up the difference.
Four years ago, they watched their team deliver one of the most memorable
moments of the 2022 World Cup, coming back to stun Lionel Messi and eventual
champion Argentina 2-1 in Saudi Arabia's opening match.
Monday's result was much less dramatic, but Saudi Arabia --- behind a mostly
solid performance by Al-Owais --- was able to shut out Uruguay, a two-time
World Cup champion, until late.
La Celeste had plenty of chances. Al-Owais denied a point-blank header from
Federico Vinas in the first half, then got his fingertips on an attempt by
Manuel Ugarte in the 61st. He also denied Federico Valverde's attempt a couple
of minutes into stoppage time.
The result capped a surprising day for Group H --- made up of Saudi Arabia,
Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde.
Cape Verde, making its World Cup debut, held heavily favored Spain to a
scoreless draw in Atlanta.
It was also a matchup of the past, present and future in World Cup history.
Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930 and will host a match commemorating
the tournament's centennial in 2030, and Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup
in 2034.
Among those at the match: FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Miami Heat star Bam
Adebayo, former NFL star Chad Ochocinco and longtime Uruguay standout Luis
Surez -- Messi's teammate with Inter Miami who was not picked to represent his
country at this tournament.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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