UruguayvsSpain

Result

Álex Baena's first-half strike, gifted by a rare Fernando Muslera error, was enough to send Spain through as Group H winners and knock Uruguay out. Marcelo Bielsa's side chased an equaliser after the break but managed only one shot on target, and had Agustín Canobbio sent off in stoppage time for a studs-up challenge on Pau Cubarsí. Spain advance to the round of 32, while a flat Uruguay campaign ends at the group stage.

Uruguay 4-1-4-14-2-3-1 Spain

Uruguay

Spain

Álex Baena42'

Juan Manuel Sanabria54'

Álex Baena46'

Guillermo Varela58'

Nicolás de la Cruz90'+3'

Agustín Canobbio90'+5'

33%Possession67%

5Shots6

1On target1

0Saves2

1Corners6

228Passes completed553

76%Pass accuracy89%

25Tackles17

12Touches in box19

Substitutions

Nicolás de la Cruzfor Manuel Ugarteat 45'

Fabián Ruizfor Pedriat 60'

Sergio Rochetfor Fernando Musleraat 45'

Dani Olmofor Mikel Merinoat 60'

Federico Viñasfor Federico Valverdeat 57'

Yéremy Pinofor Álex Baenaat 66'

Brian Rodríguezfor Juan Manuel Sanabriaat 70'

Nico Williamsfor Lamine Yamalat 76'

Ferran Torresfor Mikel Oyarzabalat 76'

At this Stage

Spain closed Group H with a spotless sheet: first place, seven points, five goals scored and none conceded, the last three points delivered by Álex Baena's first-half strike in Guadalajara — a gift from a rare Muslera error that Uruguay never repaid. The name below theirs is the table's sweetest anomaly: Cabo Verde, second on three points from three draws, into the round of 32 without winning a game. Uruguay finish third on two, a campaign of pressure without product — three goals in three matches, one shot on target in the finale, Canobbio sent off in stoppage time — and their tournament now hangs on a best-third board that two points rarely troubles. Saudi Arabia match the total but not the goal difference and finish last. At this stage, the table doesn't grade effort — a lesson Bielsa's side learned in full.

Group H

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Spain	3	2	1	0	+5	7
Cabo Verde	3	0	3	0	+0	3
Uruguay	3	0	2	1	-1	2
Saudi Arabia	3	0	2	1	-4	2

Top two (above the accent line) advance to the round of 32; the third-placed team is in the race for one of the eight best-third spots.

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Spain to win and take Group H. Uruguay are too good to dismiss and Bielsa will press Spain higher than Saudi Arabia could, but two draws have left La Celeste short of attacking rhythm. Spain looked unlocked in the 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, and their midfield can play through the first wave if Rodri and Pedri get enough touches. 2-1 Spain.

Both cases written 2026-06-25, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 29% belongs to the draw.