Uruguay unleashed 22 shots in the second half against Saudi Arabia on June 15, tying the record for the most shots in a single World Cup half since 1974. The problem? They only scored once.

The Group H opener at Miami Stadium ended 1-1, a result that flatters Saudi Arabia and haunts a Uruguayan side that dominated nearly every statistical category imaginable.

A second half for the history books

To appreciate how absurd 22 shots in a half really is, consider the benchmark Uruguay just matched. The last time a team approached that kind of volume in 45 minutes of World Cup football, East Germany was firing 24 shots against Chile in 1974. That’s a stat that has stood for over half a century.

Uruguay finished the match with 28 total shots, outshooting Saudi Arabia 28-7 on the day. In the second half alone, Saudi Arabia managed exactly zero shots.

Uruguay also held 67% possession across the full 90 minutes.

Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais turned in a performance that will be replayed for years, making nine saves, the most by any goalkeeper in the 2026 World Cup so far.

How the goals actually happened

For all of Uruguay’s territorial dominance, it was Saudi Arabia who struck first. Abdulelah Al-Amri found the net in the 41st minute, giving the Saudi side a lead they defended with everything they had.

Maxi Araújo finally broke through in the 80th minute to level the score. The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, a result that left Uruguay with a single point from a match they dominated in every measurable way except the one that matters most: goals.

The expanded World Cup factor

This match is part of the first-ever 48-team World Cup. Saudi Arabia’s performance against Uruguay is a notable result within that context. A team that was outshot 28-7 and held to zero second-half attempts still walked away with a point.

For context, Saudi Arabia has a history of punching above its weight at World Cups. Their famous victory over Argentina in the 2022 group stage remains one of the great upsets in tournament history.

What this means going forward

Uruguay’s coaching staff has a genuine puzzle to solve. When you take 22 shots in a half and score once, the issue isn’t opportunity creation. Uruguay’s expected goals (xG) for the match was 1.54, meaning their actual output of one goal was broadly in line with the quality of chances created, despite the high shot volume.

For Saudi Arabia, Al-Owais had a career-defining performance, but expecting nine saves every match is not a sustainable defensive strategy. Saudi Arabia managed just seven shots all game and none in the second half.

The broader Group H picture now features two teams sitting on one point each. Al-Owais’s nine saves set the early pace for the Golden Glove conversation at this tournament.