Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Saudi Arabia Battle Hard to Shock Draw with Uruguay

Saudi Arabia had goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais to thank as they battled to a gutsy 1-1 draw with favourites Uruguay in the second game of Group H.

Abdulelah Al Amri's shock opening goal had the first-ever World Cup winners reeling, but Marcelo Bielsa was rescued in the later stages of the second-half by a Maxi Araujo finish.

The result means that both of the opening Group H matches ended as draws.

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay As It Happened

In a game that was crying out for a clear cut chance, only one major shot on target came the way of either side was an audacious effort on the turn from Uruguay talisman Federico Valverde, who got the ball into his feet on the edge of the box and sent a powerful effort straight down the throat of Mohammed Al Owais for the only chance of the game before the first hydration break.

Not long after, Uruguay would search to end the stalemate and forced a decent save from Al Owais. A smart bit of play allowed Marcelo Bielsa's men to forray forward on the attack, and a bouncing ball was helped around the area before falling well for Federico Vinas, who's low stooping header was clawed away by the Al-Ula stopper.

But a break forward came so close to baring shock fruit for Saudi Arabia, who pulled a top save out of veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. A set piece routine fell kindly for Al-Nassr defender Abdulelah Al Amri, who;s side-footed hit was beaten away by Muslera with great reactions.

But the defender would not be denied for much longer - Al Amri was the quickest-thinking man in the Uruguayan box from a corner situation, with Muslera keeping out an initial header from Hassan Al Tambakti, only for it to fall straight to his defensive colleague. He reacted sharply and smartly, guiding the rebound into the net from close range to hand Saudi Arabia a shock lead.

Halftime Score - Saudi Arabia 1-0 Uruguay

The goal was simple from then forwards for Saudi Arabia - sit in, and soak up what they could on the way to a potential result.

Manchester United flop Manuel Ugarte came very close to spoiling that on the hour mark. With Uruguay dominating possession, a foray forward saw the ball break kindly for him 25 yards from goal. He took a touch or two to steady himself before letting rip with a low drive that bounced off of the post and stayed out.

Not to be deterred, Bielsa's men kept building the pressure en-masse until it finally got them something tangible. The goal came from Maxi Araujo, and finally broke the gall of the seemingly immovable Al-Owais.

A great ball in from Mathias Olivera was headed down on goal by Vinas once again, drawing a smart save out of the keeper. Unfortunately for Saudi Arabia, the dange wasn't fully clear as Araujo gobbled up the rebound on the left of the box, delicately placing home his effort to restore parity in style.

Substitute Brian Rodriguez followed in immediately after the goal in search of ascension, powering a bullet of a drive towards goal from all of 35 yards. However, the angle was not a forgiving one and the effort sailed barely wide.

Saudi Arabia reversed the momentum temporarily to allow a rare attack, which saw defender Said Abdulhamid lash a wild effort high over the bar from distance.

Uruguay kept pushing forward, with Araujo denied of a second and Valverde being denied once more by Al Owais (who made a shocking nine saves during the game), but no sealing goal could be found as the game ended level.

Full-time Score - Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Saudi Arabia Player Ratings

• Mohammed Al Owais (10)

• Saud Abdulhamid (8)

• Hassan Al Tambakti (8)

• Abdulelah Al Amri (9)

• Mohamed Kanno (7)

• Abdullah Alkhaibari (6)

• Mohammed Abu Al Shamat (6)

• Salem Al-Dawsari (7)

• Musab Al-Juwayr (6)

• Firas Al-Buraikan (5)

• Nasser Al-Dawsari (6)

• Nawaf Al-Boushail (6)

• Ali Lajama (N/A)

• Alaa Hajji (N/A)

• Abdullah Al-Hamdan (N/A)

Uruguay Player Ratings

• Fernando Muslera (6)

• Guillermo Varela (6)

• Sebastien Caceres (6)

• Mathias Olivera (7)

• Matias Vina (6)

• Manuel Ugarte (7)

• Rodrigo Bentancur (6)

• Federico Valverde (7)

• Maxi Araujo (8)

• Federico Vinas (5)

• Darwin Nunez (4)

• Juan Sanabria (6)

• Agustin Cannobio (6)

• Nicolas de la Cruz (6)

• Brian Rodriguez (7)

• Rodrigo Aguirre (N/A)

Man of the Match - Mohammed Al Owais

Al Owais keeping Saudi in the game single handedly.

— Subas Humagain (@SubasTheOne_) June 15, 2026

He should have done better with Vina's header that led to the game-deciding leveller, but Al Owais was sensational today.

On a night where Cape Verde's Vozinho made headlines for his underdog performance, Al Owais deserves his flowers for a stream of outstanding saves (nine, specifically) that kept Saudi Arabia right in the fight.

Bad Day at the Office - Darwin Nunez

An unfortunate 1st half for Darwin Nunez. Replaced at the interval having made just three passes in the first 45 minutes.

— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) June 15, 2026

Low-hanging fruit, but sod it.

The former Liverpool striker's Anfield exit has not been a successful one in Saudi Arabia this season, with his contract at Al-Hilal all torn up. When facing his employer's nation on the global stage, 'Darwizzy' was quiet as a mouse throughout.