Araujo equaliser saves Uruguay's blushes in draw with Saudis

(Corrects attribution in final quote from Vinas to Valverde)

By Nick Mulvenney

MIAMI, June 15 : Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain's earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde. 

The Saudis famously beat Argentina 2-1 in their 2022 tournament opener and looked on course for another shock courtesy of Abdulelah Alamri's 41st-minute strike until winger Araujo stepped up 10 minutes from time.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa certainly viewed it as a missed opportunity after European champions Spain dropped two points earlier in the day.

"An opponent we should have beaten; we gave away minutes in the first half that suggests we didn't do things right," he said. "We had to win this match."

The Green Falcons ultimately had goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais to thank for their point, which will give them confidence they can progress to the knockout stage for the first time since the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. 

"We were very tired at the end, but to play this type of game with this opponent and to get a point, it's a positive for us," said coach Georgios Donis.

"I like the spirit and the passion of my players but I think we have the quality to play better."

Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, started the match with the swagger of favourites and in the fifth minute left winger Araujo turned on the edge of the box and angled a shot at goal that Alowais parried away. 

But barring a Federico Vinas diving header on the half-hour mark, which Alowais also pushed away, the Uruguayans lacked accuracy going forward and often looked a bit casual at the back. 

SAUDI ATTACK COMES ALIVE

Doni