MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Abdulelah Al-Amri scored on a rebound in the 41st minute for Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo responded with an equalizer in the 80th as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener on Monday.Uruguay controlled most of the second half but didn’t break through until Araújo fired a rebound past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais from close range. La Celeste dominated possession and had 28 attempts on goal to Saudi Arabia’s seven but trailed until late in the second half.It was the fourth international goal for Araújo and second at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.Al-Amri, who had a shot denied by Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera earlier in the first half, put his squad ahead with a quick tap-in after Muslera palmed away a header. Al-Amri fell to his knees after the goal and placed his head down on the pitch as he was showered with cheers from Saudi Arabia fans, who were greatly outnumbered in South Florida but loud enough to make up the difference.
Four years ago, they watched their team deliver one of the most memorable moments of the 2022 World Cup, coming back to stun Lionel Messi and eventual champion Argentina 2-1 in Saudi Arabia’s opening match.
