Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara on Thursday, courtesy of a disastrous mistake by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, clinching top spot in Group H at the 2024 World Cup. The only goal came in the 42nd minute from a weak shot by Alex Baena, which slipped through the experienced Uruguayan goalkeeper's hands.
With this result, Spain avoided an early round-of-16 clash against Argentina. Instead, the reigning European champions will face Austria or Algeria on Thursday in Los Angeles. For Uruguay, the defeat, combined with Cape Verde's 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, saw them lose the second-place spot to the World Cup debutants.
Coach Marcelo Bielsa and his team ended the tournament in disappointment. The two-time world champions had previously drawn with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Local media reported tensions between Bielsa and key players like Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) over tactical issues.
The match was attended by Spain's King Felipe VI, but the encounter between two former world champions in the group stage lacked energy. Spain had earlier thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 thanks to a breakthrough from Lamine Yamal, but their ineffective attacking display prompted coach Luis de la Fuente to reconsider.
Muslera, hero of Uruguay's 2010 World Cup semifinal run, had already made errors in both goals conceded against Cape Verde. In this match, he let Baena's shot through after a cross from Marcos Llorente. Before the goal, midfielder Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United) was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
The turning point came when Bielsa replaced Muslera with Sergio Rochet at halftime and substituted Valverde in the middle of the second half. Spain also injected life with Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz. Olmo missed a chance from Yamal's pass, while Ferran Torres hit the crossbar with a header in stoppage time.
Uruguay finished the match with a straight red card for Agustin Canobbio (in added time) for a dangerous tackle on Pau Cubarsi. Spain extended their unbeaten run to 34 matches and have yet to concede a goal at this World Cup. However, they have not been as convincing as France, Argentina, or the Netherlands in their quest for a second world title.
