Spain secured top spot in World Cup Group H with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay on Friday, condemning the two-time champions to a disappointing group-stage exit after another costly mistake by veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Álex Baena scored the only goal of an attritional contest in Guadalajara in the 42nd minute, when Muslera failed to keep out his shot from inside the penalty area after a cross from Marcos Llorente. The error was the 40-year-old goalkeeper’s third major blunder of the tournament and prompted him to ask coach Marcelo Bielsa to replace him at half-time, with Sergio Rochet taking over for the second period.
‘He is the one who decided to leave,’ Bielsa said.
The result ensured the European champions finished top of Group H with seven points and will face Austria, the runners-up from Group J in the last 32 knockout round on Thursday 2 July in Inglewood, California. ALSO READ: Teenage star Yamal inspires Spain’s four-goal response to early World Cup stumble.
Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950, exited the tournament without a single victory after draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde followed by defeat to Spain. Ranked 19th in the world, Bielsa’s side became the highest-ranked nation eliminated from the competition so far.
Cape Verde claimed second place in the group after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia, finishing one point ahead of both Uruguay and the Saudis to set up a knockout meeting with defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi.
The defeat completed a miserable campaign for Uruguay, which had already been overshadowed by reports of unrest within the squad, with local media claiming several senior players, including Federico Valverde, had clashed with Bielsa over his tactics.
Bielsa accepted full responsibility for the early elimination.
‘No one wants to listen to explanations now,’ Bielsa said. ‘The blame is on me, I’m the one responsible for the disappointing work that I did. I had a group of quality players.’
He added: ‘Journalists and fans of Uruguayan football legitimately want to pin the blame on me. I’m the person responsible and I have to accept it.’
The veteran Argentine insisted his team deserved far more from its three performances, saying he believed Uruguay should have collected seven points rather than just two.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his players for overcoming a physically demanding encounter.
‘Every match is different and you have to win every type of match,’ he said. ‘This was a game with maximum difficulty.’
Reflecting on the nature of the contest, he added: ‘In football, you can’t always play with the brilliance you wish for, or that we are capable of showing at other times.’
‘We maintained an incredibly high level of concentration, responsibility, and composure, and we avoided rising to the many provocations that could have led to serious trouble.’
Spain’s unbeaten competitive run has now stretched to 34 matches and they remain yet to concede a goal at this World Cup. However, despite topping the group, their performances have yet to fully convince after opening with a goalless draw against Cape Verde before a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. ALSO READ: Cape Verde frustrate European champions Spain in historic World Cup opener.
The match between two former World Cup winners had been one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the group stage, but clear-cut chances were scarce throughout.
Muslera, a hero of Uruguay’s run to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, had already been at fault for both goals conceded in the 2-2 draw with Cape Verde. Against Spain, La Roja had created little before the goalkeeper allowed Baena’s effort to squirm over the line.
Bielsa also made the bold decision to substitute Valverde shortly after the hour mark as Uruguay searched unsuccessfully for an equaliser.
Spain nearly doubled their advantage five minutes from time when substitute Ferran Torres struck the crossbar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Uruguay believed they should have been awarded a penalty in the closing stages after Federico Viñas went down inside the area, but their appeals were waved away.
The frustration boiled over deep into stoppage time when Agustín Canobbio was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí. His teammates escorted him from the pitch, although he returned after the final whistle in an attempt to speak to the referee.
Several Uruguay players were left in tears after the final whistle, while sections of their supporters booed the team as they departed the field.
Spain also suffered injury concerns ahead of the knockout rounds. Midfielder Yéremy Pino is feared to have broken his collarbone, an injury likely to end his tournament. The Villarreal player, introduced in the 66th minute, was forced to remain on the field until full time because Spain had already used all five substitutions. Nico Williams also finished the bruising contest with a muscle problem.
Lamine Yamal, still having his minutes carefully managed after arriving at the tournament with a hamstring injury, started but was again substituted, making way for Ferran Torres in the 76th minute.
Uruguay were also dealt an injury blow before Spain’s goal when midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered an apparent knee injury. He was receiving treatment on the pitch as Baena scored and was eventually stretchered off.
King Felipe VI of Spain was among the crowd of 45,065 at Estadio Akron. ALSO READ: King Felipe VI and Claudia Sheinbaum seal Spain-Mexico diplomatic thaw after years of tension.
Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week. ALSO READ: Spain joins international relief effort after devastating Venezuela earthquakes.
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SM el Rey Felipe VI ha visitado a los jugadores de la @SEFutbol junto a Rafael Louzán, presidente de la @rfef, tras la victoria del conjunto nacional ante Uruguay.#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/L9nm9sXMgH
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 27, 2026
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