Uruguay were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia on Monday despite dominating large spells of their World Cup Group H clash in the punishing Miami heat.
The result came just hours after European champions Spain were stunned by debutants Cape Verde in a goalless draw, leaving all four teams level on one point after the opening round of matches.
Saudi Arabia took a shock lead shortly before half-time through defender Abdulelah al-Amri, but Uruguay eventually found a response 10 minutes from time when Maxi Araujo pounced after sustained pressure from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Uruguay piled on the attacks in the second half, firing 22 shots, but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais and his defence repeatedly denied the South Americans.
“We should have won this match,” said the colourful Argentine Bielsa, whose side play Cape Verde next.
“We weren’t able to show the best version of ourselves,” he added, admitting that his side only got going in the second half.
Uruguay’s preparations for the tournament had already been disrupted after travel paperwork issues delayed their arrival in the United States from Mexico.
Played in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius with suffocating humidity, the contest struggled to burst into life in the opening stages.
Federico Vinas came close midway through the first half when Owais tipped away his diving header from point-blank range.
Saudi Arabia, who famously defeated Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, threatened mainly on the counterattack and almost struck when Al-Amri forced Fernando Muslera into a sharp save.
The breakthrough finally arrived four minutes before the interval. Muslera spilled a header from a corner and Al-Amri reacted quickest to stab home from close range.
Bielsa responded decisively at the break, withdrawing Matias Vina and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez after an uninspiring first-half display.
Agustin Canobbio and Juan Manuel Sanabria were introduced, and the substitutions immediately injected urgency into Uruguay’s play.
Saudi coach Georgios Donis, appointed only two months before the tournament, watched his side retreat deeper as Uruguay intensified the pressure.
Manuel Ugarte nearly equalised on the hour mark when the Manchester United midfielder rattled the foot of the post with a fierce long-range strike.
Uruguay finally got their reward late on after Owais fumbled what appeared to be a routine save, allowing Araujo to react quickest and slot home the rebound.
The South Americans pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, but Saudi Arabia held firm to secure a valuable point.
