Uruguay scored a late goal to rescue a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The two-time world champions couldn't handle the intense pressure in the final minutes of the first half and were stunned when Abdulelah al-Amri broke the deadlock for Saudi Arabia in the 41st minute.
Uruguay almost equalized within the first minute of the second half as the game turned into a battle between the Uruguayan attack and the Saudi defence.
It paid off for Uruguay as they were able to claim at least a point thanks to Maxi Araújo's first-time strike in the 80th.
Captain Federico Valverde almost scored a winner for Uruguay in stoppage time but keeper Mohammed al-Owais made a sensational save to stop him.
"In the second half we did what the coach asked of us and improved. As captain, I'm happy with everything the team gave. I want to focus on what we did to get the draw. We're going to work hard to win the next match," Valverde said.
Uruguay top Group H ahead of Saudi Arabia but all teams are tied on one point after Spain was held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde earlier.
Saudi Arabia have another former world champions on their way as they face Spain on June 21, while Uruguay play against Cape Verde.
The match
Uruguay were first to threaten with Federico Vinas' diving header but his effort was palmed clear by al-Owais in the 30th.
The end of the first half, however, was dominated by Saudi Arabia, who had a series of dangerous set-pieces.
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was forced into a big save in the 38th to deny al-Amri but was beaten by the defender just three minutes later.
Hassan al-Tambakti finished off a corner, but his effort was parried by Muslera. The rebound, however, was collected by al-Amri, who found the net from close range.
Uruguay needed only 48 seconds into the second half to show that they were ready to fight back.
Guillermo Varela's cross found Matias Vinas, who guided a header across goal, but al-Owais pushed the ball away.
Saudi Arabia retreated to their own side of the pitch, giving Uruguay plenty of space and relying on al-Owais' work.
In the 60th, Manuel Ugarte drilled an effort from distance and hit the post, but only thanks to al-Owais, who had a vital touch to divert the ball.
The keeper made nine saves throughout the match, the most at the World Cup so far, but couldn't stop Araújo from getting a deserved draw for Uruguay.
Al-Owais made a good save to deny Federico Vinas' header but pushed the ball out towards Araújo, who struck it past the keeper.
Al-Owais, however, made a crucial save to deny Valverde the winner as Saudi Arabia survived Urugay's late surge.
"It was a good start, and I believe we deserved to win. Step by step, we can qualify for the next round. We came here to win and go as far as possible, not just to take part. We hope to correct our mistakes in the next match so we can secure a victory and move closer to qualification," Saudi forward Salem al-Dawsari said.
