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MIAMI GARDENS — When the United States was poised to host its first World Cup in 1994, the 7-year-old Joe Robbie Stadium was considered a likely host site. But because the Marlins, who played at the Miami Gardens stadium at the time, would be playing regular-season games that coincided with the summer tournament, Miami was passed up in favor of Orlando.
This time around, there was no such issue. Miami was named one of the host cities for this year’s tournament. On Monday, 62,764 fans poured into what is currently dubbed Miami Stadium for South Florida’s first-ever World Cup match.
The match featured Saudi Arabia and Uruguay — the winners of the first-ever World Cup in 1930. Although the stadium was full of boisterous Uruguayan fans, who greeted their team with waving flags and a loud rendition of “Himno Nacional del Uruguay,” Uruguay needed a late goal to secure a draw.
Midfielder Maxi Araujo scored an 80th-minute equalizer for Uruguay, securing a point. After one match, every team in Group H has one point. The other two teams, Spain and Cape Verde, played a scoreless draw on Monday.
Despite consternation about the price of tickets to this year’s World Cup, Monday’s matchup drew nearly a capacity crowd to Miami Gardens.
Uruguay, which entered the match ranked 18th in the world by FIFA, got off to a quick start, getting a shot on Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais and forcing a corner. But after the early opportunity from Uruguay, both teams settled into a possession battle. Salem Al-Dawsari got Saudi Arabia’s first shot in the 18th minute, but it went well wide of Uruguay’s net.
After the first-half hydration break — mandated by FIFA to counter the intense summer heat across North America — Uruguay came out with more potent attacks.
Al-Owais had to make an excellent save to stop a point-blank header from Uruguay forward Federico Vinas in the 30th minute, keeping the score knotted at zero.
After bearing the brunt of Uruguay’s pressure, it was the Saudis who broke the scoreless tie. Uruguyan goalkeeper Fernando Mulsera had to punch away a free kick from Musab Al-Al-Juwayr that Uruguyan keeper Fernando Mulsera had to punch away, followed by a corner kick that set up a blistering shot from Abdulelah Al-Amri, a defender for Saudi club Al-Nassr FC, that Mulsera saved.
Moments later, in the 41st minute, Al-Amri found the back of the net when Mulsera could not hang onto a corner kick headed his way.
Uruguay came out with urgent attacks in the second half, with Al-Owais needing to make another impressive save in the first minute of the half. Manuel Ugarte, the Manchester United midfielder, missed an equalizer by inches in the 60th minute.
After nearly 35 minutes of sustained pressure, Uruguay finally broke through in the 80th minute. Al-Owais made another save on a close-range header, but Arujuo, who plays for Portugal’s Sporting CP, scored on a volley for Uruguay’s sole goal of the night.
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This time around, there was no such issue. Miami was named one of the host cities for this year’s tournament. On Monday, 62,764 fans poured into what is currently dubbed Miami Stadium for South Florida’s first-ever World Cup match.
The match featured Saudi Arabia and Uruguay — the winners of the first-ever World Cup in 1930. Although the stadium was full of boisterous Uruguayan fans, who greeted their team with waving flags and a loud rendition of “Himno Nacional del Uruguay,” Uruguay needed a late goal to secure a draw.
Midfielder Maxi Araujo scored an 80th-minute equalizer for Uruguay, securing a point. After one match, every team in Group H has one point. The other two teams, Spain and Cape Verde, played a scoreless draw on Monday.
Despite consternation about the price of tickets to this year’s World Cup, Monday’s matchup drew nearly a capacity crowd to Miami Gardens.
Uruguay, which entered the match ranked 18th in the world by FIFA, got off to a quick start, getting a shot on Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais and forcing a corner. But after the early opportunity from Uruguay, both teams settled into a possession battle. Salem Al-Dawsari got Saudi Arabia’s first shot in the 18th minute, but it went well wide of Uruguay’s net.
After the first-half hydration break — mandated by FIFA to counter the intense summer heat across North America — Uruguay came out with more potent attacks.
Al-Owais had to make an excellent save to stop a point-blank header from Uruguay forward Federico Vinas in the 30th minute, keeping the score knotted at zero.
After bearing the brunt of Uruguay’s pressure, it was the Saudis who broke the scoreless tie. Uruguyan goalkeeper Fernando Mulsera had to punch away a free kick from Musab Al-Al-Juwayr that Uruguyan keeper Fernando Mulsera had to punch away, followed by a corner kick that set up a blistering shot from Abdulelah Al-Amri, a defender for Saudi club Al-Nassr FC, that Mulsera saved.
Moments later, in the 41st minute, Al-Amri found the back of the net when Mulsera could not hang onto a corner kick headed his way.
Uruguay came out with urgent attacks in the second half, with Al-Owais needing to make another impressive save in the first minute of the half. Manuel Ugarte, the Manchester United midfielder, missed an equalizer by inches in the 60th minute.
After nearly 35 minutes of sustained pressure, Uruguay finally broke through in the 80th minute. Al-Owais made another save on a close-range header, but Arujuo, who plays for Portugal’s Sporting CP, scored on a volley for Uruguay’s sole goal of the night.
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