Fede Valverde’s Uruguay misses golden opportunity to take hold of Group H

Uruguay's midfielder #08 Federico Valverde runs for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 15, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Uruguay and Saudi Arabia faced off on Monday evening in Miami knowing that at win by either would place them at the top of Group H following Spain’s surprising scoreless draw against Cabo Verde earlier in the day.  The Saudis looked most threatening in the first half, largely through set pieces.  Georgios Donis’ team eventually opened the scoring in the 41st minute after 40-year-old Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was unable to hold onto Mohamed Kanno’s header following a corner which Saudi midfielder Abdullah Al-Khaibari expertly slotted home.

class="has-text-align-none">Uruguay started the 2nd half in much more promising fashion with forward Fernando Viñas attempting two headers from close range within the first 5 minutes.  Uruguay kept the pressure on the Saudis with Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte unfortunate not to score in the 60th minute following a sensational strike from approximately 20 meters that hit the post.  The Uruguayans eventually tied the match in the 80th minute following a goal eerily similar to Saudi Arabia’s goal.  Viñas third header in the 2nd half, this one from inside the goalkeeper’s box, proved too difficult for Saudi keeper Mohammed Al Owais to handle, the ensuing rebound pushed to the back of the net by Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo.

class="has-text-align-none">Fede Valverde was largely inconspicuous in the 1st half, the Real Madrid star playing principally in a right midfield role.  However, the Uruguayan captain was omnipresent in the 2nd half playing in a more central midfield role as Uruguay attempted 23 of their 28 shots in the match after halftime.  That included 3 shots from Valverde, forcing a save from keeper Al-Owais in the 67th minute from a free kick and the save of the match from the Saudi keeper in the 93rd minute following a splendid shot from outside the box.

class="has-text-align-none">Saudi Arabia next faces Spain on Sunday in Atlanta while Uruguay stays in Miami to face Cabo Verde later that same day.