Mohammed Al-Owais Makes Nine Saves as Saudi Arabia Hold Uruguay to 1-1 Draw at 2026 World Cup

Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Owais has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an exceptional performance in his country’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay on 16 June 2026.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper made nine saves during the match — the highest save count recorded by any goalkeeper at the tournament so far — as Saudi Arabia withstood a sustained offensive effort from the South American side. According to statistics shared by Squawka, only Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic, who made 11 saves against Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, has recorded more stops in a single World Cup match across the last three editions of the tournament.

Saudi Arabia had taken the lead before halftime through Abdulelah Al-Amri, and the Green Falcons appeared capable of claiming all three points for much of the contest. Uruguay, however, maintained relentless pressure after the interval, gradually pushing Saudi Arabia back into their own defensive third. Maxi Araujo eventually converted the equaliser in the 80th minute to level the match.

Despite the late concession, Al-Owais was named Player of the Match. His most notable intervention came when he reacted quickly to tip a powerful strike from Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte onto the post — a moment that encapsulated the quality of his overall display. His performance was characterised by sharp positioning, precise timing, and consistent decision-making under sustained pressure.

The result places Saudi Arabia on one point in Group H, leaving them in contention ahead of their remaining group fixtures. The group dynamic was further complicated earlier on the same day when Cabo Verde produced a shock result against Spain — a result that has kept the standings unpredictable and increased the significance of each remaining match.

Prior to Al-Owais’s display, the tournament’s goalkeeping conversation had largely centred on Cabo Verde’s Vozinha, whose performances — including a record-setting appearance for a goalkeeper at age 40 — had generated widespread attention. Al-Owais’s nine-save effort against Uruguay has added another name to that discussion, with both goalkeepers now representing contrasting but equally compelling narratives at the tournament.

For Saudi Arabia, the point against Uruguay carries historical weight. The nation famously defeated Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in one of the tournament’s most memorable upsets, and the team has continued to carry an upset-minded identity into the 2026 edition. A share of the spoils against Uruguay, achieved largely through their goalkeeper’s efforts, reinforces that reputation.

With the group stage still developing, Saudi Arabia’s progress will depend significantly on subsequent results. However, Al-Owais’s performance has already ensured he will feature prominently in any assessment of the tournament’s most impactful individual displays during the opening round of fixtures.