Uruguay hit the post twice as they failed to register a third World Cup win in three matches against South Korea in their Group H opener.
Veteran defender Diego Godin, in his fourth World Cup, thumped a header against the base of a post from a corner before half-time, while a thunderous late strike from Federico Valverde also found the woodwork.
Hwang Ui-jo also spurned a glorious opportunity for South Korea, in their 10th consecutive finals appearance, when he fired over the bar from close range in the 34th minute.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, sporting a protective mask after facial surgery, and Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez also curled efforts wide as neither side could muster a single official shot on target – a World Cup record.
It all added up to a fourth goalless draw in 14 matches at this World Cup, after only one in 64 in 2018.
Uruguay’s next match is against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on Monday, November 28, while South Korea face Ghana on the same day.