Spain secured top spot in Group H with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, a result that condemned the two time world champions to a second successive FIFA World Cup group stage exit.
Alex Baena scored the decisive goal just before half time, while Uruguay endured a miserable evening that also saw goalkeeper Fernando Muslera substituted at the break, midfielder Manuel Ugarte stretchered off through injury and winger Agustin Canobbio sent off deep into stoppage time.
The match also marked the final World Cup fixture to be played in Guadalajara, with both teams gathering in the centre circle before kick off as the national anthems echoed around the stadium.
Marcelo Bielsa made just one change to the side that surrendered a lead against Cabo Verde in their previous match. Darwin Nunez returned to lead the attack in place of Matias Vinas, while veteran goalkeeper Muslera earned his 19th World Cup appearance to move level for 17th on the all time list. Ronald Araujo, who scored and assisted against Cabo Verde, again carried Uruguay’s hopes of avoiding an early exit.
Spain entered the match knowing victory would guarantee first place in the group. A draw would also likely be enough, while Uruguay still had a chance to finish anywhere from first to bottom depending on results elsewhere. Meanwhile, Cabo Verde remained firmly in contention for qualification after an impressive tournament that had captured the imagination of football fans around the world.
Spain almost made the perfect start in the second minute. Lamine Yamal won possession high up the pitch after a careless pass from Rodrigo Bentancur before slipping the ball through to Mikel Oyarzabal. The forward looked set to score, but a desperate Uruguay defender stretched out a leg to divert the effort behind for a corner.
Uruguay finally threatened in the 27th minute through Federico Valverde. The Real Madrid midfielder burst down the right and attempted to pick out Darwin Nunez inside the area, but the striker completely mistimed his flicked effort. It summed up Nunez’s difficult run, with the former Liverpool forward now going 11 competitive matches for Uruguay without a goal or an assist.
Spain eventually found the breakthrough in the 42nd minute. Uruguay failed to clear their lines after sustained pressure and Marcos Llorente drilled a dangerous low cross into the penalty area. Baena reacted quickest, turned sharply and fired a shot that slipped through the grasp of Muslera before crossing the line. The goal put Spain 1-0 ahead and left Uruguay heading out of the tournament.
Uruguay’s problems worsened before the interval when midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered an apparent injury and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.
At half time, Bielsa made another major decision by replacing Muslera with Sergio Rochet. The Uruguay coach later revealed that the experienced goalkeeper had requested the substitution himself after the mistake that led to Spain’s goal.
Bielsa also withdrew captain Federico Valverde in the 57th minute, a decision that visibly frustrated the Real Madrid midfielder as Uruguay searched desperately for an equaliser.
Spain nearly doubled their lead in the 63rd minute. Yamal burst down the right and delivered a perfect pass to Dani Olmo, who found himself with time and space inside the box. However, the midfielder leaned back and fired his effort well over the crossbar when he should have scored.
As the clock ticked down, Uruguay still knew that one goal could change everything because Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia remained locked at 0-0 in the other Group H fixture. That result kept Bielsa’s side alive, but they struggled to create clear opportunities.
Their first shot on target finally arrived in the 82nd minute when Mathias Olivera’s mishit cross almost caught Unai Simon off guard. The Spain goalkeeper reacted quickly to push the ball behind for a corner.
Uruguay continued to press and came close again moments later. Nicolas de la Cruz unleashed a powerful effort that forced another fine save from Simon. Spain immediately countered and Ferran Torres combined brilliantly with Fabian Ruiz before Ruiz clipped the crossbar with a curling effort that nearly sealed the victory.
The frustration boiled over deep into stoppage time. In the fifth minute of added time, Agustin Canobbio lunged into Pau Cubarsi with his studs showing and received a straight red card. The Uruguay winger then confronted the referee by grabbing his shirt, bringing an ugly end to his side’s disappointing campaign.
Spain comfortably saw out the remaining moments to secure all three points and finish as Group H winners.
For Uruguay, the defeat confirmed a second consecutive group stage elimination at the World Cup, the first time they have suffered that fate in back to back tournaments. Marcelo Bielsa has now failed to guide a team beyond the group stage in two of his three World Cup campaigns, having also exited early with Argentina in 2002. His only successful group stage campaign came with Chile in 2010.
Spain, meanwhile, march confidently into the knockout stage after another disciplined performance and will head into the Round of 32 as one of the tournament favourites.
