Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
The late fixture of Monday's programme takes place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where Saudi Arabia and Uruguay meet in a Group H clash that could effectively settle second place before the group has barely begun. With Spain almost certain to top the group, whoever wins here takes a commanding position in the race for the remaining qualifying spots. Both sides arrive carrying significant injury concerns and a burning desire to avoid the group stage exits that have defined their recent World Cup history. This is a match neither can afford to lose.
Saudi Arabia — The Green Falcons
Georgios Donis lines up in a 4-3-3, with Mohammed Al-Owais in goal behind a back four of Boushal, Amri, Al-Tambakti and Abdulhamid. The midfield three of Kanno, Khaibari and Juwayr provides the platform, with the creative burden falling on the front three of Dawsari, Feras and Mandash.
Captain Salem Al-Dawsari is the standout name — 34 international goals, the man who scored that stunning individual winner against Argentina in 2022, and the heartbeat of everything Saudi Arabia do going forward. His ability to drive at defenders, find pockets between the lines and produce moments of genuine quality makes him one of the most dangerous players in this group at his best. Feras leads the line through the centre — a mobile forward whose movement and link-up play will be key to unlocking a well-organised Uruguay defence.
Saudi Arabia memorably beat Argentina at the 2022 World Cup — one of the great upsets in tournament history — and will draw on the belief that no game is beyond them on the right day. But they have not won a World Cup knockout match since 1994, and their last two tournaments ended in group stage exits. Their warm-up form has been concerning — four consecutive losses before a goalless draw with Senegal — but tournament football has a habit of resetting the table entirely.
Uruguay — La Celeste
Marcelo Bielsa sets up in a 4-4-2, with the veteran Fernando Muslera in goal behind a back four of Viña, Olivera, Cáceres and Varela. The midfield four of Araújo, Bentancur, Ugarte and Valverde is formidable on paper — although question marks remain over the fitness of several players heading into this fixture.
Federico Valverde is the most important player on this pitch. The Real Madrid midfielder is technically excellent, box-to-box in his energy, capable of scoring from distance and always dangerous arriving late from deep. Alongside him, Manuel Ugarte provides the defensive shield and combative presence that allows Valverde the freedom to get forward. Rodrigo Bentancur adds quality and experience in the third midfield slot.
Up front, Darwin Núñez partners Viñas in attack. Núñez is explosive, powerful and one of the most physically imposing strikers at this tournament — Saudi Arabia's centre-backs will find him a constant handful. His Liverpool season was inconsistent but he arrives at tournaments fired up, and the space Saudi Arabia's attacking 4-3-3 can leave on the counter will suit him perfectly. The loss of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani from this setup has shifted the goalscoring burden entirely onto Núñez's shoulders, and he has the quality to carry it.
Uruguay won their last World Cup meeting with Saudi Arabia 1-0 in 2018. They were semi-finalists in 2010 and quarter-finalists in 2018, but went out in the group in 2022. Bielsa will demand a reaction — and this is the kind of opponent against whom his meticulously organised sides tend to produce their best performances.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Salem Al-Dawsari vs Federico Valverde. The two most important players in this match are likely to cross paths repeatedly. Al-Dawsari will look to find space between the lines and drive at Uruguay's defence — Valverde, operating from the right of midfield, will be aware that tracking Al-Dawsari defensively is as much his job as anything else. When Al-Dawsari has time and space, Saudi Arabia can hurt anyone. Valverde's ability to press intelligently and deny him that room could be the decisive factor in a match where the margins will be tight throughout.
Prediction
Saudi Arabia at home in the Miami atmosphere with Al-Dawsari in the mood is not to be underestimated, and Uruguay's injury concerns make this more open than their FIFA ranking suggests. But Bielsa's sides are tactically intelligent and hard to break down, and the combination of Valverde pulling the strings and Núñez physically dominating Saudi's centre-backs gives Uruguay a clear edge in the positions that matter most.
Al-Dawsari will get his moment — he almost always does — but Uruguay have enough quality to win this.
Saudi Arabia 1–2 Uruguay — Al-Dawsari — Núñez, Núñez
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