Saudi Arabia offered fresh proof in Guadalajara, Mexico, that they remain a fearsome opponent for the big sides on the World Cup stage. The Asian side kept two-time world champions Uruguay under pressure for a long time before drawing 1-1. Saudi Arabia came very close to victory at one point, though Uruguay finally drew level through a goal from Maximiliano Araujo.
Uruguay were clear favorites on paper before the match. Many expected the South American side, built around Darwin Nunez, Federico Valverde and Maximiliano Araujo, to win comfortably. But on the field, Saudi Arabia produced organized and confident football from the start. In the first half, Saudi Arabia not only handled Uruguay’s attacks but also created several threats on the counter. Uruguay struggled to find their rhythm against Saudi Arabia’s disciplined defense and controlled midfield play.
Saudi Arabia finally got the goal they wanted in the 41st minute. From a corner, Hassan Al-Tambakti first met the ball with a powerful header. Uruguay’s experienced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera could not control it properly. As the ball slipped from his hands, Abdulelah Al-Amri pounced to bundle it into the net from close range. That goal put Saudi Arabia 1-0 ahead.
Uruguay could not equalize before the break despite conceding. Saudi Arabia went into the interval with the lead, and the memory of beating Argentina at the 2022 World Cup seemed to return to the stands. In the second half, Uruguay grew desperate to change the picture. Darwin Nunez, Federico Valverde and Araujo kept the Saudi defense busy with one attack after another. But thanks to the resolve of the goalkeeper and the defenders, Saudi Arabia held their lead for a long time.
As time wore on, Uruguay’s anxiety grew. They were still 1-0 down after the 70-minute mark. Despite creating several good chances, the South American side kept failing at the last moment. It seemed Saudi Arabia were on course to spring another major World Cup upset. But the Asian side finally cracked under pressure. In the 80th minute, Uruguay at last won the equalizer. Maximiliano Araujo sent the ball into the net from a chance created through sustained attacking. His goal brought the two-time world champions level at 1-1 and breathed new life into the match.
After equalizing, both sides grew desperate for a winner. Saudi Arabia no longer confined themselves to defense, keeping Uruguay’s defense busy on the counter. Uruguay, for their part, made an all-out effort for a winning goal in the closing stages. But neither side found a goal in the remainder of regulation time. The match ended 1-1 with the final whistle.
So Saudi Arabia left the field with a valuable point from their first World Cup match, while Uruguay, who had hoped for a win, had to settle for a shared point. Having shaken the World Cup by beating Argentina in 2022, Saudi Arabia served notice once again, this time by holding Uruguay, that they remain a serious test for the big sides.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report