Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Uruguay on Friday in Guadalajara, Mexico, to top Group H and advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. The win came courtesy of a goalkeeping error from Uruguay’s veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, whose misjudgment allowed Álex Baena’s shot to slip through and cross the goal line in the 42nd minute. Spain will face the second-place team from Group J, either Austria or Algeria, in the round of 32 match scheduled for Thursday in Inglewood, California.

Uruguay, a two-time World Cup champion, was eliminated after failing to win any of its three group matches and finishing third with two points. The South American side drew against both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia before their defeat to Spain. Uruguay’s early exit marks the second consecutive tournament in which they have been eliminated at the group stage, making them the highest-ranked team (19th in FIFA rankings) to be knocked out so far in 2026.

The match also saw a halftime substitution of Muslera, who was replaced by Sergio Rochet after committing multiple errors during the tournament. Muslera, 40, reportedly requested to be taken off, a decision confirmed by Uruguay’s coach Marcelo Bielsa. Despite the goalkeeper’s struggles, Bielsa expressed disappointment over the team’s overall luck and results but accepted full responsibility for the campaign’s outcome. The Uruguayan squad experienced internal tensions during the tournament, with reports of disagreements between Bielsa and key players, including Federico Valverde, who was substituted off in the 60th minute.

In stoppage time, Uruguay received a further blow when Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. The emotional weight of the exit was evident as several Uruguayan players were seen crying after the final whistle, with some fans expressing frustration by booing the team’s departure from the field.

Spain’s victory was not without challenges. Coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that substitute forward Yéremy Pino likely sustained a broken collarbone late in the match, an injury which could rule him out for the remainder of the tournament. Pino, who entered in the 66th minute, played through the pain as Spain had exhausted all five substitutions. Additionally, Nico Williams ended the game with a muscle problem after a physically demanding performance.

Spain’s style of play has drawn mixed assessments, as the team remains unbeaten in competitive fixtures with 34 matches without conceding a goal, yet some critics argue their attacking output has often been underwhelming relative to other title contenders. De la Fuente emphasized the team’s discipline and composure in managing a tightly contested match against Uruguay.

Meanwhile, debutants Cape Verde made history by advancing to the knockout round for the first time in their World Cup history. They secured second place in Group H after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in the group’s other final match. Cape Verde will meet Argentina, the defending champions, next Friday. Their progression has been widely celebrated domestically, with players highlighting the resilience and sacrifices of their nation’s people in achieving this milestone.

With Spain moving forward as group leaders and Cape Verde marking a historic passage, the tournament landscape in Group H has shifted considerably following Uruguay’s unexpected exit. Teams now turn their focus to the knockout phase beginning next week, where both the seasoned European champions and rising underdogs will test their mettle on the world stage.