Spain seals World Cup Group H with 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara
Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 on Friday in Guadalajara, Mexico, to top Group H and advance to the World Cup knockout stage while eliminating the two-time champion Uruguay.
Alex Baena's first-half strike proved decisive as Uruguay exited without a win, becoming the only CONMEBOL team not to reach the knockout rounds in this expanded tournament format.
Spain's victory matters because it confirms their status as a top football powerhouse while Uruguay's failure signals a major shift in South American football dynamics.
Spanish Media
Spanish media celebrated Luis de la Fuente's tactical evolution, highlighting how blending possession football with attacking directness secured their Euro 2024 victory and now their World Cup advancement.
Uruguayan Media
Uruguayan outlets criticized Marcelo Bielsa's rigid pressing strategy, arguing that his refusal to adapt to modern defensive shapes caused their failure to reach knockout rounds for the first time.
- Cape Verde became the smallest country ever to reach a World Cup knockout round after three straight draws in the group stage.
- Uruguay is the only CONMEBOL team in history to fail advancing from a World Cup group without winning any matches.
- Á·lex Baena scored his first World Cup goal just 12 minutes after entering the match against Uruguay.
