Asian teams stay unbeaten against Europe as Saudi Arabia frustrate Uruguay

Asian teams are undefeated against Europe so far

Japan 1–1 Netherlands. South Korea 1–1 Czech Republic. Australia beat a European side. Four games, zero losses for the Asian confederation against Europe at this World Cup (1). Qatar's own 1–1 draw with Switzerland fits the pattern. The gap looks narrower than anyone expected.

Saudi Arabia hold Uruguay to 1–1

Saudi Arabia took a point off Uruguay in the early hours of Tuesday, another 1–1 result for an Asian side against a heavyweight (2). The article frames it in the context of the Qatar-hosted 2022 tournament, a reminder that this region has been building toward these moments for years.