Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rodri and Spain qualify for knockout stage as Group H toppers

Spain edged Uruguay 1-0 in Guadalajara to seal top spot in Group H and advance to the World Cup knockouts on Friday evening.

Luis de la Fuente‘s side dominated the ball throughout, but a resilient Uruguayan defensive structure kept Rodri and co at bay for large portions of the match.

The breakthrough arrived just before half-time when Alex Baena drove in a strike near the edge of the area that veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to hold, the ball trickling over the line.

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It was a moment of individual error that proved decisive: Muslera was replaced at the interval by Bielsa. Uruguay grew into the game in the second-half, with Nicolás de la Cruz forcing Unai Simón into a strong save, while Ferran Torres blazed over from a golden one-on-one chance.

Late drama saw Agustín Canobbio receive a red card as tensions boiled over. Baena, reflecting on his first World Cup goal, admitted it was among the most joyful of his career.

The defeat eliminated Uruguay, who finished with only two points, while Cape Verde‘s 0-0 draw elsewhere earned the debutants a historic place in the knockout rounds.

Rodri match statistics vs Uruguay

Minutes played – 90

Goals – 0

Assists – 0

Expected assists (xA) – 0.03

xG + xA – 0.03

Accurate passes – 100/106 (94%)

Chances created – 0

Defensive contributions – 6

Touches – 118

Touches in opposition box – 0

Successful dribbles – 0/1 (0%)

Passes into final third – 6

Accurate long balls – 1/2 (50%)

Dispossessed – 2

Defensive contributions – 6

Tackles – 5

Blocks – 0

Clearances – 1

Headed clearance – 1

Interceptions – 0

Recoveries – 6

Dribbled past – 3

Ground duels won – 5/14 (36%)

Aerial duels won – 1/2 (50%)

Was fouled – 0

Fouls committed – 3

Data courtesy of FotMob.