Spain tops Uruguay as Alex Baena settles personal score

Spain secured its first objective at the 2026 World Cup, beating Uruguay 1-0 overnight Friday to Saturday and clinching first place in the group, which should set up an expected next-round meeting with Austria. Spain did not play especially well, but it did enough to advance, with Alex Baena scoring the only goal in the 42nd minute after a major mistake by Fernando Muslera. The Athletic Madrid midfielder punished another error by the Uruguay goalkeeper, who had a disastrous tournament and was substituted at halftime.

Spanish media praised the defense pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Marcos Llorente, and also noted Spain’s ability to win while Lamine Yamal had a quiet game. “Baena was Spain’s diamond,” columnist Fernando Tavaro wrote, adding that coach Luis de la Fuente had turned him into Spain’s new star. “He was the most committed player from the start, moving between the lines and threatening goal,” Tavaro said.

Baena had been benched in the 0-0 draw with Uruguay, but kept his place after Spain’s 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia. In Spain, he has also drawn attention because of his rivalry with Federico Valverde, Real Madrid’s star and Uruguay international. In a recent derby, Valverde was sent off after a hard foul on Baena, and in 2023 he allegedly hit him in a parking lot after Real Madrid lost to Baena’s former club Villarreal. Valverde’s camp said Baena had mocked him over his partner’s miscarriage.

Valverde was surprisingly taken off in the 57th minute, even though a goal could have sent Uruguay through, prompting criticism in the country. Luis Suarez said, “That is the worst tactics I have seen in a decade. You need him, Bielsa caused the defeat. His face said it all.” Uruguay’s defensive approach by Marcelo Bielsa also received praise, especially for repeatedly pressing Yamal, but the compliments were of little comfort after Uruguay were unexpectedly eliminated in the group stage.