Spain Tops Group H as Uruguay Exit World Cup After Narrow Defeat

Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 overnight, between Friday and Saturday, to secure first place in Group H, while Marcelo Bielsa’s side was eliminated in the group stage after a disappointing campaign. Alex Baena scored the winner in the 42nd minute, capitalizing on a major error by veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, whose poor save spilled into the net. Muslera was substituted at halftime.

Uruguay’s troubles deepened in the 57th minute when Bielsa also pulled star midfielder Federico Valverde off the field, but the move did not spark a comeback. The loss left Uruguay with just two points from the group and meant Bielsa exits in the group stage for the first time in his career.

Spain advanced despite producing only one shot on target in the match. Luis de la Fuente’s team finished the group with seven points and a 5-0 goal tally, and will face Austria or Algeria in the next round. The game was played at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and officiated by U.S. referee Ismail Elfath.