Spain defeats Uruguay 1-0 and advances to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup as leader of Group H

 Spain secured their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Guadalajara. Luis de la Fuente's team dominated possession throughout the match, although Uruguay defended effectively. The breakthrough moment came just before the break when Alex Baena fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that surprised experienced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The ball crossed the goal line after an error by Muslera, who was replaced by Bielsa at half-time. Uruguay gained confidence in the second half, with Nicolás de la Cruz forcing a difficult save from Unai Simón. Ferran Torres, on the other hand, wasted a golden opportunity by firing over the goal in a one-on-one situation. There were tensions at the end of the match, which ended with a red card for Agustín Canobbio. Baena admitted that his first goal at the World Cup was one of the happiest moments of his career. Uruguay finished with just two points, while Cape Verde's goalless draw with fellow rivals secured a historic advance to the knockout stages. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Senegal's World Cup Hopes Hinge on Must-Win Game Against Iraq](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/senegals-world-cup-hopes-hinge-on-must-win-game-against-iraq) 2. [Cape Verde's Historic World Cup Journey Continues Against Argentina](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/cape-verdes-historic-world-cup-journey-continues-against-argentina)