MIAMI: Maxi Araujo scored an 80th-minute goal to rescue a 1-1 draw for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia in their stifling Group H World Cup opener at Miami Stadium.

Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 41st minute when Abdulelah Al Amri converted a parried rebound, threatening another tournament upset for the Middle Eastern side.

In response, Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa made a double substitution at halftime—withdrawing an ineffective Darwin Nunez—which sparked a 28-shot second-half onslaught.

Despite an exceptional nine-save performance from Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, Araujo capitalized on a loose ball to equalize, leaving Group H wide open following Cape Verde’s previous draw with Spain.