Araújo rescues Uruguay as Saudi Arabia earn a point in Miami

Abdulelah Al-Amri gave Saudi Arabia a shock lead before Maximiliano Araújo equalised on 80 minutes, as Uruguay were held to a 1-1 draw despite dominating — leaving all four Group H sides level.

Uruguay were made to work for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in Miami, fighting back in the second half after a shock first-half deficit on a frustrating opening night for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Saudi Arabia stunned the South Americans just before half-time. Abdulelah Al-Amri reacted quickest after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera could only parry a header, bundling home in the 41st minute to give the underdogs a deserved lead at the break.

Uruguay, beaten finalists' pedigree and all, threw everything forward after the restart. They finished with 67% of the ball and 28 shots to Saudi Arabia's seven, but for long spells they were frustrated by a heroic goalkeeping display and stubborn defending.

The breakthrough finally came on 80 minutes, Maximiliano Araújo arriving to level the contest and spare Uruguay's blushes. They pressed for a winner late on but could not find it, and in truth a point was the least their opponents deserved.

The result leaves Group H wide open: after Cape Verde had earlier held Spain, all four teams in the group are level on a point apiece. For Saudi Arabia, a draw against one of South America's heavyweights is a fine start; for Uruguay, it is a warning. For neutrals in Kenya, it was another reminder that the so-called minnows have closed the gap.