FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The South Americans were clearly superior, especially in the last half hour of the match, but Saudi Arabia managed to hold on for the important result. Al Amri gave the Arab team the lead, while Araujo equalized for Uruguay...
Saudi Arabia seems to have a special relationship with the Latin American teams that play in blue in the opening matches of the World Cup. After a great triumph over Argentina in Qatar, it was Uruguay's turn to fail to "subdue" the Arab team. The 1-1 draw is a very important result for the team led by Giorgos Donis, who became the first Greek coach in history to take a point in a World Cup.
The match in Miami was not spectacular in the first half, with a slow pace of play, something that suited Saudi Arabia. The Saudi team even managed to take the lead just before halftime, after a set piece phase.
In the second half, Uruguay significantly increased the tempo and took full control of the game. Marcelo Bielsa's team created many scoring chances, including a shot on goal.
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais was the absolute protagonist of the match. He made a series of crucial saves to keep his team in the game and was only conceded once, at the moment of the equalizer. Especially in the last ten minutes, every attack by Uruguay seemed like a golden opportunity to score.
The final score of 1-1 brought smiles to the Saudi camp and keeps the competition open in Group H. In addition to Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, who have one point each, Spain and Cape Verde are also in the same situation after their match. The less favored teams gave the first signals that they could surprise from the start of the tournament.
Spicy moments from the match
5' Beautiful shot by Araujo from outside the area, Al Owais punches the ball away.
18' Pressure and ball recovery from Saudi Arabia. Al Dawsari moves parallel to the area and shoots hard, but without finding the goal.
30' Cross by Araujo from the right. Valverde deflects his header at the far post and Vinas, from close range, fails to score after Al Owais successfully intervenes.
38' Corner kick for Saudi Arabia. The ball ends up in Al Amri's hands near the penalty spot, who shoots hard, but Muslera clears it for a corner with a great save.
41' GOAL 1-0: Another corner kick for the Saudis. Kano heads the ball from the penalty spot, Muslera doesn't clear it properly and Al Amri takes advantage of the rebound to send it into the net from close range.
45' Vina's header after a free kick, Al Owais controls the ball.
46' Cross from the right, Vinas heads the ball into the near post, but Al Owais makes a spectacular save.
50' After a corner kick, Vinas tries again with his head, but the ball goes close to the post.
59' Varela crosses beautifully from the right, Canobbio shoots powerfully with his head, but without finding the target.
60' Varela passes the ball to Ugarte outside the area. The Manchester United midfielder shoots between many players and the ball hits the upright of the Saudi goal.
73' After a corner kick taken by Valverde, Al Brikan almost scores an own goal with his head, but the ball ends up in the outside net.
80' GOAL 1-1: Cross from the left. Vinas heads the ball, Al Owais clears it, but not enough. Araujo, alone near the penalty area, sends the ball into the net for the equalizer.
83' Strong shot by Rodríguez, the ball goes too close to the post.
87' Abdulhamid tries a good shot, but fails to find the net.
90+1' Sanabria passes from the left, De La Cruz shoots immediately and Al Owais makes another excellent save.
90+3' Corner kick taken short. Valverde shoots powerfully from outside the area, but Al Owais reacts decisively again.
90+6' Diagonal shot by Rodríguez, with Al Owais clearing the ball to the corner.
lineups
Saudi Arabia (Donis):
Al Owais, Abdulhamid (92' Lajzami), Altabakti, Al Amri, Al Harbi (92' Al Hamdan), Kano, Jugair, Al Kaibari, Al Samat (81' Al Bousal), Al Dawsari, Al Brikan (92' Al Haxhi).
Uruguay (Bielsa):
Muslera, Varela, Vina (46' Sanabria), Cáceres, Olivera, Bentancur, Ugarte (72' De La Cruz), Valverde, Vinas (90' Aguirre), Araujo (81' Rodríguez), Núñez (46' Canobbio).
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