Spain edge Uruguay to top group despite injury concerns
Spain secured first place in World Cup Group H with a 1-0 win over Uruguay, but a laboured performance and fresh injuries to key players raise doubts about their knockout stage prospects.
Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 in Guadalajara to finish top of World Cup Group H, though a toothless attacking display and new injury setbacks cast a shadow over the victory. Alex Baena’s 42nd-minute strike proved enough to secure the win after Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera allowed a Marcos Llorente cross to dribble over the line.
The result extends Spain’s competitive unbeaten run to 34 games and keeps a clean sheet record intact at this tournament. However, for European club sides monitoring their assets, the physical toll will be a major concern. Yeremy Pino suffered a shoulder injury that may end his tournament, while Nico Williams left the match with a muscle problem.
Lamine Yamal was also withdrawn 15 minutes from time as Spain continue to manage his fitness following a hamstring injury that curtailed his club season. Without his spark, the European champions struggled to break down a stubborn Uruguay defence. Ferran Torres missed a gilt-edged chance to double the lead late on, hitting the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Luis de la Fuente acknowledged the limitations of the performance. "In football, you can't always play with the brilliance you wish for, or that we are capable of showing at other times," the Spain coach said. He praised his squad's discipline, noting they "avoided rising to the many provocations that could have led to serious trouble."
For Uruguay, the defeat marked a humiliating early exit, making them the highest-ranked side eliminated in the group stages. The two-time winners finished with zero wins after drawing with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Agustin Canobbio summed up the frustration with a straight red card in stoppage time for a wild lunge on Pau Cubarsi.
Marcelo Bielsa’s tournament unravelled amid reports of a player revolt, with Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde reportedly clashing with the coach over tactics. Bielsa substituted Valverde on the hour mark and revealed Muslera asked to be replaced at half-time. "Journalists and fans of Uruguayan football legitimately want to pin the blame on me," Bielsa said. "I'm the person responsible and I have to accept it."
Spain will now face either Austria or Algeria in Los Angeles on Thursday as the knockout phase begins on Sunday. While pre-tournament favourites Spain have navigated the group stage unbeaten, they have yet to produce the scintillating attacking football displayed by other leading contenders.
