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ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - JUNE 26: Federico Vinas #21 of Uruguay high fives with Federico Valverde #8 as he comes on as a substitute during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Spain at Guadalajara Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Uruguay was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Spanish team’s win assuring them top of the table in Group H. Uruguay has now faced Spain on 11 occasions without tasting victory, losing six times and drawing another five.
Goal scoring chances were few and far between as Spain and Uruguay combined for only 11 shot attempts in the match, 7 in the first-half and 4 in the second 45 minutes. Only 2 of the 11 shot attempts were on target – one in each half and one for each team. And it was Spain’s only shot on target that resulted in the only score of this defensive battle that saw the teams combine for 1.06 expected goals (0.20 xG for Uruguay; 0.86 xG for Spain)
Atlético Madrid’s Alex Baena’s shot from just inside the box in the 42nd minute seemed to be of little danger, but 40-year-old Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera let the ball slip through his hands to put Spain ahead on the scoreboard. Muslera was subsequently substituted for Sergio Rochet at half-time in what is most likely the veteran keeper’s final match with the Uruguay shirt. Uruguayan fans will feel hard-pressed that the ball was not put out of play during the build-up to Baena’s goal as defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte lay on the pitch in pain, the Manchester United midfielder being substituted before play reinitiated from the center circle.
Another surprise substitution occurred in the 56th minute as Uruguayan captain Fede Valverde was taken off despite his pass to Darwin Núñez in the first half generating the only big scoring chance in the first 85 minutes of the match. Valverde finished the match completing 10 of 15 passes, adding 5 ball recoveries, 1 interception and 2 tackles. Despite playing only 56 minutes, only 3 outfield players had more ball recoveries than the Uruguayan captain. Many pundits will question Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to take off the Real Madrid midfielder so early in the second half.
Ferran Torres had a chance to ensure a Spanish victory in the 86th minute when he found himself alone against Rochet. But the FC Barcelona forward’s shot sailed off the crossbar, continuing his poor form at the 2026 World Cup. Lamine Yamal, expected by many to be one of the stars at the 2026 World Cup, created little danger with only 1 key pass and with his only shot attempt blocked prior to getting substituted in the 76th minute. Recent Real Madrid signing Marc Cucurella had a solid match, completing 36 of 42 passes while adding a tackle, an interception and 3 ball recoveries.
Spain’s victory means they avoid facing Argentina next and will instead be paired against either Austria or Algeria in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 2nd.
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