Saudi Arabia beat Puerto Rico 3-0 after weather delay in first win under Donis

Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Alhamddan (19) and Nasser Aldawsari (6) jump for the ball against Puerto Rico's Gerald Diaz (13) during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Saudi Arabia's Sultan Mandash (27) celebrates after a goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Puerto Rico, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Saudi Arabia head coach Georgios Donis, right, watches play during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against Puerto Rico, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Saudi Arabia fans cheer in the closing minutes of an international friendly soccer match against Puerto Rico, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Salman Al-Faraj #7 of Saudi Arabia controls the ball in the second half during the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico at Q2 Stadium on June 5, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Daniel Jefferson/Getty Images/AFP)

Saudi Arabia secured a 3-0 friendly win over Puerto Rico on Saturday in ​a match disrupted for nearly two hours by severe weather, earning their first victory under new coach Georgios Donis ahead of the World Cup in North America.
The game was halted in the 21st minute ‌as thunderstorms ‌and lightning forced ​players ‌off ⁠the ​pitch and ⁠spectators to seek shelter, in accordance with US safety protocols that suspend play when storms are detected within an 8-mile radius. Repeated lightning strikes led to multiple resets of ⁠the mandatory 30-minute delay before ‌play eventually resumed. ‌
Saudi Arabia took the ​lead just before ‌halftime when Sultan Mandash capitalized on ‌a defensive lapse inside the penalty area, before Abdullah Al Hamdan doubled the advantage in the 50th minute with a ‌composed finish over the advancing goalkeeper after winning possession high ⁠up ⁠the pitch.
Captain Salem Al Dawsari wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute with a fine solo run, giving Saudi Arabia a confidence-boosting win after their 2-1 loss to Ecuador.
They will face Senegal on June 9 in their final warm-up before opening their World ​Cup campaign in ​Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde.