Spain edge Uruguay to win Group H as Cape Verde advance
Alex Baena’s first-half goal sent Spain into the knockouts atop Group H and ended Uruguay’s World Cup campaign, AFP reported.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Spain secured first place in World Cup Group H with a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Guadalajara, a result that sent the South American side out of the tournament, AFP reported. Alex Baena scored the only goal when his low effort slipped through goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s hands shortly before halftime.
The win means Spain avoid a last-32 meeting with Argentina, according to AFP. Luis de la Fuente’s side will instead play Austria or Algeria in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Uruguay’s defeat also shaped the rest of the group. AFP reported that Cape Verde, playing at its first World Cup, took second place after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia and will face Lionel Messi’s defending champions Argentina.
For Uruguay, the loss completed a poor group-stage campaign under Marcelo Bielsa. AFP said the two-time World Cup winners are the highest-ranked team to exit at this stage after earlier draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.
AFP reported that tensions had surfaced around Uruguay before the Spain match, with reports of a dressing-room revolt and senior players, including Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, clashing with Bielsa over tactics. The defeat offered little relief for a squad that had entered the tournament with higher expectations.
Muslera error decides tight match
Spain’s King Felipe attended the match, AFP reported, but the group-stage meeting between two former world champions produced few clear chances. Spain had struggled to test Uruguay before the decisive moment in the 42nd minute.
Marcos Llorente’s cross led to Baena’s shot, which lacked power but still crossed the line after Muslera failed to gather it, according to AFP. The 40-year-old goalkeeper had also been faulted for both Cape Verde goals in Uruguay’s 2-2 draw earlier in the group.
Uruguay suffered another blow in the same passage of play. AFP reported that Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was injured in the buildup to the goal and was carried off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
Bielsa replaced Muslera with Sergio Rochet at halftime, then made another major change by taking off Valverde around the hour mark, AFP reported. Spain also altered its midfield, with Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz coming on as De la Fuente looked for more control and sharper attacking play.
Spain stay unbeaten but still seek fluency
Lamine Yamal, whose return to Spain’s starting XI had helped spark a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia after a goalless opener against Cape Verde, showed flashes of quality, AFP reported. Olmo missed a chance after Yamal created an opening for his Barcelona teammate.
Yamal was substituted with 15 minutes left as Spain continued to manage his workload after a hamstring injury cut short his club season, according to AFP. Ferran Torres, who replaced him, nearly made it 2-0 five minutes from time but struck the crossbar when through on goal.
Uruguay’s night ended with another setback in stoppage time. AFP reported that Agustín Canobbio received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
Spain now have a 34-match unbeaten run in competitive games and have not conceded at this World Cup, AFP reported. Even so, the European champions have yet to match the attacking level shown by teams such as France, Argentina and the Netherlands as they pursue a second World Cup title.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.