Spain secured top spot in World Cup 2026 Group H with a narrow 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Friday, advancing to the Round of 32 while sending the two-time champions out in the group stage. The only goal came just before half-time, when a weak shot from Alex Baena slipped through the grasp of veteran Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera — a costly error that proved decisive in an otherwise tense and underwhelming contest between two former world champions.
Muslera's mistake was his third goalkeeping error leading directly to a goal at this tournament, a record low in statistics tracked since 1966, according to data provider Opta. The 40-year-old was visibly distraught after the ball rolled over the line from Marcos Llorente's cross, and coach Marcelo Bielsa replaced him at half-time with Sergio Rochet to prevent further damage. Uruguay's misery was compounded when Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off with an apparent serious knee injury in the buildup to the goal, and later when Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi. In a further sign of a squad in turmoil, Bielsa also withdrew Real Madrid's Federico Valverde — one of the players reportedly involved in an internal dispute with the coach over tactics — on the hour mark.
The result ends a miserable campaign for Uruguay, who had drawn their two previous group games against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, and become the highest-ranked side eliminated in the group stage. At the same time, in Houston, Texas, debutants Cape Verde — an archipelago nation off the west coast of Africa with a population of just over 500,000 — secured second place in the group with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, sending both Saudi Arabia and Uruguay home. Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world and one of the smallest nations ever to appear at a World Cup by population, will now face reigning champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in Miami on 3 July. Their players and fans were seen in tears when news of the Spain result filtered through on a mobile phone at the final whistle.
Spain, the European champions, remain unbeaten in 34 consecutive competitive matches and have yet to concede a goal at this tournament. However, their performance again raised questions about their attacking fluency. Substitutes Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz improved the tempo in the second half, and Lamine Yamal — whose minutes are being carefully managed after a hamstring injury cut short his club season — showed flashes of brilliance before being withdrawn 15 minutes from time. Ferran Torres then struck the bar with the goal open late on, leaving the scoreline at one.
Spain will next face the runner-up of Group J, either Algeria or Austria, in Los Angeles on Thursday. While La Roja's defensive solidity and overall squad depth remain strengths, coach Luis de la Fuente will be aware that the attacking fireworks seen from France, Argentina and the Netherlands have so far eluded his side as the knockout rounds approach.