Baena Seals Top Spot As Spain Beat Uruguay 1-0 To Win Group H

Spain secured top spot in World Cup Group H with a controlled 1-0 victory over Uruguay, thanks to Alex Baena’s first-half strike. The result sent Spain into the last 16 and confirmed Uruguay’s exit, after Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia sealed second place for the tournament debutants.

La Roja will now face the Group J runner-up on 2 July, with Austria currently holding that position ahead of a decisive meeting with Algeria. Spain completed the group stage unbeaten and without conceding, strengthening Luis de la Fuente’s hopes of a deep run in this World Cup.

While much focus has centred on Spain’s young attack led by Lamine Yamal, defensive statistics told the story in Guadalajara. Spain have allowed only 26 shots across the last four World Cup matches. They also became just the second side since 1966 to face six or fewer attempts in five straight games.

The other team to achieve that was Argentina during the opening five fixtures of the 2022 title-winning campaign. Spain have not allowed a single shot on target in the first half of any group match at this World Cup. That record highlighted the structure and discipline that protected goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Group H ended with Spain on top, Cape Verde second, Uruguay third and Saudi Arabia fourth. Cape Verde’s goalless draw with Saudi Arabia meant Uruguay needed a win, yet Marcelo Bielsa’s side struggled to create chances. Spain, already well placed, managed the game tempo and limited Uruguay’s attacking rhythm.

Spain almost struck inside two minutes when a stray Rodrigo Bentancur pass was intercepted. Yamal carried the ball and found Mikel Oyarzabal, whose cross aimed for Mikel Merino was cleared by Sebastian Caceres. Uruguay responded with energy, with Juan Manuel Sanabria containing Yamal early, while Darwin Nunez failed with an ambitious backheel attempt.

Spain World Cup opener from Baena and Muslera’s difficult night

Uruguay’s resistance broke three minutes before the interval after a mistake from Fernando Muslera. Marcos Llorente delivered from the right and picked out Baena in space. Baena’s touch allowed a low shot which slipped through Muslera’s hands and rolled over the line for what proved the deciding goal.

Muslera had returned from international retirement for this tournament, but this match deepened a painful campaign. The goalkeeper became the first on record since 1966 to make three errors leading to goals at a single World Cup. Uruguay replaced Muslera with Sergio Rochet at half-time, their first goalkeeping change mid-game at a World Cup since 1970.

Spain World Cup attacking chances and Uruguay frustration

Spain stayed in control after the break and should have extended the lead around the hour. Yamal created space and set up substitute Dani Olmo, who drove a rising shot over the bar. Uruguay then came close when Mathias Olivera’s cross almost surprised Simon at the near post, but the goalkeeper reacted in time.

Ferran Torres nearly settled the contest four minutes from the end of normal time. Torres skipped past Olivera on the right and aimed high, but the effort hit the crossbar and bounced away. Uruguay’s difficult evening worsened in stoppage time when Agustin Canobbio received a straight red card for a high challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

Key match statistics reflected Spain’s control despite the narrow scoreline. Spain attempted six shots with an expected goals figure of 0.86. Uruguay managed five efforts worth just 0.2 expected goals, underlining the limited threat posed to Simon throughout the contest and reinforcing Spain’s reputation for defensive stability in this tournament.

Spain emerged from Estadio Guadalajara with three wins, three clean sheets and clear momentum going into the last 16. Uruguay’s campaign ended at the group stage, while Cape Verde progressed on debut. Spain now wait to see whether Austria or Algeria provide the next test in a growing World Cup challenge.