MUNICH, June 14 - A stoppage time header from defender Radhi Jaidi earned Tunisia a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia after a thrilling finish to their World Cup Group H opener on Wednesday.

Saudi substitute Sami Al Jaber scored in the 84th minute to put his team 2-1 ahead and seemingly on their way to a comeback win in the all-Arab clash.

Al Jaber, who has played for the Saudis in three previous World Cups, tucked the ball home just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The Tunisians, seeking to win a World Cup finals game for the first time since they beat Mexico in their first appearance in 1978, led at halftime thanks to a Ziad Jaziri strike after 23 minutes.

But after dominating the opening period, they lost their way and Saudi Arabia came back strongly in the second half, Yasser Al Qahtani levelling in the 57th minute.

Tunisia had dominated from the start and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after only two minutes and almost scored after eight minutes.

The Saudis produced a few counter-attacks and forced a flurry of corners, but they fell behind in the 23rd minute.

From an inswinging free-kick on the right, defender Redha Tuker headed clear, but the ball rebounded off his team-mate Hamad Al Montashari and Jaziri volleyed it beyond keeper Mabrouk Zaid from 10 metres.

Tunisia lost their sense of urgency after the break and paid for it when a revitalised Saudia Arabia levelled.

A long ball from defence set Mohamed Noor free on the right and from his low cross to the near post Yasser Al Qahtani evaded two marking defenders to steer the ball home.

Jaber was disappointed by the late goal.

"We were unlucky to let a goal in one minute before the end. Now we have one point. It is not the end of the competition for us. We have to work hard against Ukraine," Al Jaber told reporters, looking ahead to the game on June 19.

"I am still recovering (from the thigh injury) and I will do everything possible to recover to be ready for that match."

Tunisia became the first African nation to pick up a point at the finals but took little consolation from that.

"We didn't recognise our team today," said Tunisia midfielder Adel Chedli.

"It was a catastrophe. We never really found our rhythm. It was a pity because we led 1-0 at halftime and then we did some foolish things."

Tunisia play Spain on June 19. Spain lead the group after thrashing Ukraine 4-0 earlier on Wednesday.