Álex Baena’s 42nd-minute goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Friday at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, sending Spain through from Group H and ending Uruguay’s World Cup run.
Baena finished from the center of the box after Marcos Llorente’s cross, and that first-half strike held up through a second half in which Uruguay pushed without turning the match. Spain closed the group on seven points with a 2-1-0 record, while Uruguay finished third on two points after a 0-2-1 campaign.
The result continues Spain’s controlled path through the group after earlier matches that included its draw with Cape Verde and win over Saudi Arabia. Spain at the 2026 World Cup tracks the bigger picture around Luis de la Fuente’s team.
Spain manage the margin after Baena’s finish
Spain had most of the ball and most of the territory. Spain enjoyed 67 percent possession, 623 passes and six corners, compared with Uruguay’s 301 passes and one corner. The shot count stayed tight, with Spain at six and Uruguay at five, but Spain’s advantage in possession let it protect the match after halftime rather than chase a second goal.
Uruguay had already been forced into an early change when Nicolás de la Cruz replaced Manuel Ugarte because of an injury before halftime. Sergio Rochet replaced Fernando Muslera at the break, and Marcelo Bielsa’s side later sent on Federico Viñas and Brian Rodríguez as it tried to find a route back into the game.
Spain also managed its bench after the hour. Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo came on in the 60th minute, Yéremy Pino replaced Baena six minutes later, and Nico Williams and Ferran Torres entered in the 76th. Lamine Yamal exited for Williams after another active start on the right, with Spain already protecting the only goal of the night.
Uruguay’s frustration carried into stoppage time. Nicolás de la Cruz was booked in the third added minute, and Agustín Canobbio was shown a red card two minutes later. The final whistle confirmed Spain’s place on top of the group and left Uruguay short of the knockout places. Stadio United’s guide to follow Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup has the broader team background.
