Valverde after draw in World Cup opener: "We will work three times as hard"

Uruguay sought a draw with Saudi Arabia after coming up short in their first game in Group H of the 2026 World Cup. The teams finished 1-1 at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, in the United States.

In an interview with CazeTV after the final whistle, the captain of the Uruguayan National Team, Fede Valverde, acknowledged that the anxiety of the debut took a toll, but highlighted the team's evolution throughout the match.

"I think, obviously, the debut ended up playing against us a little [...] well, I'm frustrated, angry, but, as captain, very happy for the work of all my teammates," said Valverde.

Valverde comments on Uruguay's draw against Saudi Arabia - Disclosure/Uruguay

In the second half, Uruguay put pressure on the opposing team, reached a draw, and narrowly avoided turning the score around. The performance was praised by Valverde, who recognized the role of the fans in Celeste's reaction.

"Yes, yes. The support from the fans gave us a lot of energy. The way they push us along with the team gave us tremendous energy. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. We're going to keep fighting, of course. We're going to keep doing our best. We're going to work three times as hard so we can win the next match," said the Uruguay captain.

Upcoming games
Uruguay's next game is against Cape Verde, on Sunday (21), at 7pm at Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami.

Source: CNN