Spain reached the FIFA World Cup knockouts as Group H winners after a tense 1-0 win that sent Uruguay crashing out without a victory.
Álex Baena scored the decisive goal in the 42nd minute, with Fernando Muslera failing to hold a low effort that slipped through the Uruguay goalkeeper and gave Spain control of a tight game. Baena’s goal secured top spot for Spain and knocked Uruguay out at the group stage.
For Spain, it was not spectacular. It was enough.
Luis de la Fuente’s side managed the key moments better, protected their lead after the break and moved into the Round of 32 from first place. For Uruguay, the result completed a miserable campaign for a two-time champion that failed to win a group match. Sky Sports also reports that Spain topped Group H and Uruguay were eliminated after the defeat in Guadalajara.
Baena Punishes Muslera Error
Spain started quickly, with Mikel Oyarzabal forcing early concern from a narrow angle, but the match soon settled into a tight and cagey rhythm.
Uruguay needed a result to keep their tournament alive, yet they struggled to create clean chances. Federico Valverde drove into dangerous areas from the right, while Darwin Nunez could not turn one cutback into a serious finish. Rodrigo Bentancur also tried from distance before half-time, but Uruguay were still waiting for a breakthrough.
Then came the mistake that changed everything.
Baena received a pass from Lamine Yamal and turned into space before hitting a low effort. It looked manageable, but Muslera failed to gather it cleanly and Spain had the lead.
Muslera did not return for the second half, with Sergio Rochet replacing him after the interval.
Uruguay Run Out Of Answers
Uruguay also lost Manuel Ugarte in the first half, while Valverde was withdrawn before the hour mark. Those changes did not produce the response Marcelo Bielsa needed.
Spain kept control for long spells without turning the match into a rout. Yamal continued to carry threat, and only a crucial Mathias Olivera intervention stopped Oyarzabal from having a clear finish from close range.
Uruguay did have late moments. Olivera’s mishit cross struck the outside of the post, and Nicolas de la Cruz forced Unai Simon into a save from range as La Celeste searched desperately for an equaliser.
Spain should have finished it earlier. Ferran Torres had a major chance in the final minutes after linking with Fabian Ruiz, but his lifted effort over Rochet clipped the crossbar and went over.
It did not matter.
Spain held on, and Uruguay’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Agustín Canobbio was sent off at 90+5.
Spain Advance, Uruguay Collapse
This was the kind of match Spain can live with in tournament football. They were not at their most fluid, but they were controlled, disciplined and ruthless enough when Uruguay opened the door.
The win took Spain through as Group H winners. It also left Uruguay with two points and no wins, ending their campaign before the knockout phase for a second straight World Cup.
For Bielsa, the questions will be sharp. Uruguay had enough talent to expect more, but the group stage exposed a team short of precision, control and finishing power when it mattered.
For Spain, the story moves forward. They are through, they are top, and they have survived the kind of tight game that often defines tournament runs.
Uruguay leave with the opposite feeling. One mistake changed the match. Three group games confirmed the damage.
