yesdaida news

By Vikram Iyer — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara, clinching the top spot in Group H and advancing to the next round of the World Cup. The lone goal came from Álex Baena, whose shot in the 42nd minute slipped through the hands of Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

The result means Uruguay, a two-time World Cup winner, has been eliminated from the tournament, marking a disappointing end to their campaign. Their exit allowed debutants Cape Verde to secure second place in the group following a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.

Match Overview and Key Moments

The decisive goal occurred just before half-time. The play began with Manuel Ugarte going down, and despite calls for Spain to stop, they continued their attack. Lamine Yamal was involved before Marcos Llorente delivered a cross to Baena, whose first-time shot found the net due to Muslera’s error. This goal was the only one of the match, despite Spain having only one shot on target.

Uruguay’s performance was characterised by aggression rather than offensive quality. They managed only two shots on target throughout the game, neither of which came before the 80th minute. Early in the match, Uruguay had some encouraging moments, including a misplaced pass from Baena that almost led to a chance for Federico Valverde, and Unai Simón dropping a cross. However, they failed to capitalise on these opportunities.

Muslera, who had previously been at fault for goals in Uruguay’s 2-2 draw against Cape Verde, was replaced at half-time by Sergio Rochet. Ugarte was also stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury during the build-up to Spain’s goal. Uruguay’s coach, Marcelo Bielsa, later made the decision to withdraw Valverde on the hour mark, a move that reportedly displeased the player.

Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, also made changes, bringing on Dani Olmo and Fabián Ruiz to inject more life into the team’s performance. Yamal was replaced 15 minutes from time, with Ferran Torres coming on. Torres had an opportunity to double Spain’s lead but hit the crossbar five minutes from the end.

Aftermath and Tournament Implications

Uruguay’s exit marks their second consecutive World Cup where they failed to advance past the group stage. Bielsa took responsibility for the team’s performance, stating that he did not manage to turn their potential into a cohesive team. Reports of internal disagreements within the Uruguay camp, particularly concerning Bielsa’s tactics, had emerged after draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.

The match was also notable for its physicality. Nico Williams left the field limping, and Yéremy Pino departed with his arm in a sling. In stoppage time, Agustín Canobbio received a straight red card for a lunge on Pau Cubarsí, summarising Uruguay’s frustrating tournament.

Spain, the reigning European champions, remain unbeaten in 34 competitive games and have yet to concede a goal in the World Cup. Despite their progression, their attacking performance against Uruguay was described as laboured, leaving de la Fuente with areas to address before the knockout stages. Spain will now face either Algeria or Austria in their next match, which will take place in Los Angeles.

The match was attended by King Felipe of Spain. The encounter between the two former World Cup winners was considered a disappointment in terms of quality. Spain’s journey continues, while Uruguay’s tournament ended in frustration, with Bielsa observing the final moments from the side of the pitch.

Source: theguardian.com