Uruguay 0 vs 1 Spain summary: updates, score, goals and highlights | 2026 World Cup Group H

World Cup 2026

Who will Cabo Verde play next in the Round of 32? World Cup opponent and schedule

It wasn't a perfect night for Spain, but they are at the top of the group and they will either play Algeria or Austria in the round of 32. The winner of the Algeria-Austria game gets Spain as their prize while the third placed team might have an easier match next round. The debutants, Cabo Verde, will play one of the heavy hitters in this tournament. Our William Gittens has more. 

There they were, watching and waiting for the end of the Spain Uruguay match. When the final whistle blew in Guadalajara it was pandemonium on the Cabo Verde touchline. 

This is the real news of the night. Cabo Verde are advancing to the round of 32 after earning the 2nd spot in Group H. They will get Argentina for their troubles, but this isn't the moment to be thinking about what's coming up next. Enjoy the night Cabo Verde. 

Augustin Canobbio was sent off with a straight red after this challenge on Cubarsi. That was the final straw for Uruguay who were eliminated in what will be considered a disaster back home. 

The match was physical all night, but it got ugly at the end. With the end nearing, Uruguay got a little more desperate and much more aggressive. De la Cruz made a rash challenge on Nico Williams and was shown a yellow card for this challenge. 

While it may or may not have been Muslera taking himself out, Bielsa took the captain of the team out before the hour mark, and Fede Valverde was not happy. He went to the bench furious, didn't look at his coach and had some strong words with those in the dugout about the situation. There were rumors of a rebellion happening in the Uruguay dressing room and that looked to spill over a bit in the final match of their campaign. 

There were doubts if the sub of Muslera was made because of an injury, a coaching decision or something else. It turns out it was something else. According to Bielsa in the post match interview the keeper made the decision not to play the second 45. 

Spain are heading to the round of 32 as the Group H winners, but the real story here today is Cabo Verde advancing to the next round after a second place finish in group stages. The debutants jumped over Uruguay with their third draw in three matches as Marcelo Bielsa's side crashed out of the World Cup. 

It was a match that had plenty of hype but failed to live up to the hype. Not much for goals, not much for chances. Not much for attractive play. Uruguay were playing for their lives and they tried to make the game as scrappy as they could. Alex Baena had the lone goal and it came off of a tame shot on goal. Fernando Muslera misjudged the shot and made the mistake of the night. He didn't come out after the halftime break and Bielsa said it was his choice not to come back out. 

IT'S ALL OVER!!!!

SPAIN FINISH FIRST IN THE GROUP WHILE URUGUAY ARE OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED FRO THE WORLD CUP!!!

Canabbio is making a scene over on the touchline after being sent off. 

CANOBBIO IS SHOWN A STRAIGHT RED AFTER A TACKLE WITH THE STUDS UP ON CUBARSI!!! THAT WAS COMING FROM A LONG TIME AGO, AND HE'S GONE. 

Williams was on the counter and de la Cruz came from behind and chopped him down with a tackle from the back that could have been ruled a red card. De la Cruz may have been a very fortunate boy to just be shown yellow. 

FIVE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME COMING!!!

Canobbio sent the ball into the area, and it was defelected but Nunez tracked it down on the far side and tried to back heel it into danger. Vinas went down trying to get on the other end of that back heel, but the ref rules he went down much too cheaply after a coming together with Olmo. 

Yeremi PIno took another shot, the second he has been dealt since coming into this game, and he has to go to the touchline after staying down. 

A little 1-2 between Ferran and Fabian and it was the Barca man who took a touch around the defender and was staring down the keeper as he lifted that shot up off the cross bar and into the 12th row. 

De La Cruz was invited to shoot from long range, and that was hit with plenty of pace but Simon was able to make the save. 

This has turned into an ugly game. It was never the most appealing, but lately neither team have been able to do much of anything on either end of the pitch. Spain won't mind but they want more of the ball. 

Oliveira with a strange shot at goal that almost surprised Simon. It looked like he was winding up for a cross on the left foot, but the mishit almost snuck past Simon on the near post. 

Hopeful cross into the area from Canobbio but that got away from him and sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. 

Vinas with a cheeky ball through the middle of the park for Nunez who had a beat on it but Simon was off his line in the blink of an eye. 

Torres and Williams coming in for Lamine and Torres. 

Uruguay with an attacking on the pitch at the moment. They know they need at least a point out of this match. That is going to leave them open at the back and that could give Spain some chances to counter. 

Olmo charging down the middle of the park and he found Lamine in space on the right side. He tried one move into the middle and then to the end line but he looks gassed with less than 20 minutes to go. He is still getting back to full fitness after coming this World Cup with an injury. 

At the moment Cabo Verde's 0-0 draw would be enough to send them through to the round of 32 as the 2nd placed team in the group and send Uruguay packing. 

Sanabria is subbed out for Rodriguez out of the break. 

WE ARE AT THE SECOND HALF HYDRATION BREAK. 

Baena out for Yeremi PIno. 

Lamine running at defenders and he squared it to Olmo who had space but completely mishit that ball and a real chance is spoiled but good minutes from Olmo right after coming off the bench. 

Olmo with a 1-2 with Oyarzabal and he got it back streaking through the middle of the park and went down right outside the box. Spain thought that was a foul, but the ref though otherwise. 

Olmo and Fabian in for Pedri and Merino. 

Betancur chops down Merino and another yellow card is shown to a Uruguay player. 

Valverde just got subbed out for Vinas. The captian of the team and the starting keeper are out for the rest of the match. 

Quick free kick taken by Araujo who was trying to catch Spain out but he over shot everyone and that was a wasted chance. 

Cubarsi trips up Araujo and that is going to give Uruguay a free kick from a dangerous distance in the middle of the park. 

Sanabria cuts down Lamine just seconds later and this time he is going to see his name put in the refs book. Yellow card as Uruguay continues to try and push Spain around. 

Pedri was chopped down by Canobbio in the middle for the park and he is lucky to get away without a yellow card. Thats three or four from him already and some how he has kept his name out of the book. 

Ball over the top for Araujo and he nodded it back for Nunez. It looked like there could have been a potential penalty as Cubarsi got a touch to that pass back but the flag went up for offside on Araujo. 

Arajuo swings it on from the far side and Rodri flicks it out of danger and out for a throw in. 

Canobbio take down by Baena near the end line and that is going to draw a yellow card out of the refs pocket. 

Muslera has been subbed off at the half!! It's Rochet who comes in for the second 45.

WE ARE BACK IN GUADALAJARA FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!

The Cabo Verde - Saudi Arabia is also at halftime and that game is level at 0-0. The would the debutants at three points but it may not be enough for them to get to the round of 32. 

Alex Baena got a decent look at goal, but if we are being honest Muslera has to do so much better with save attempt. He looked back at the grass like maybe it took a bad hop, but this one is on the Uruguay keeper. 

This has been a physical match from the start. Uruguay were going to come in to this match and try to rough the Spaniards up. It's a match with a lot on the line and Uruguay are playing for their World Cup lives. Spain kept their cool and eventually took the lead late in the half. 

WE ARE HEADING TO THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM GUADALAJARA!!!

Betancur plays a ball to the left side for Valverde who swung it in to Nunez who had a step on Laporte. The Spain defender launched himself at the ball, and sent that ball whilzzing toward Simon who made the diving save and prevented an own goal. 

Araujo sends it to the back post but Cubarsi was the closest to it and flicked it out of danger. 

Merino sends Araujo to the ground and Uruguay get a free kick from a dangerous spot. 

De la Cruz into the game for Ugarte who was forced off right before the half. 

EIGHT MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!

Ugarte went down earlier in that action and he was out of the play when Spain scored. To add insult to injury, he is going to have to be carted off after suffering what looked to be a leg injury. Heartbreaking for Ugarte. 

Lamine went down right outside the box looking for a foul, but the play went on and Llorente chased down the ball at the end line. He sent it back to the spot where Baena took a touch and put a shot on goal that should have been saved but Muslera got it all wrong!

Oyarzabal went down after a challenge from Ugarte and he stayed down for a moment. The medics  didn't come out but he has been sent to the touchline to sit out a minute according to the new FIFA rules. 

Nunez wins the ball back in his own half and he tried to surprise Simon with a shot from 60 yards away. That never had a chance, but worth trying what would have been the goal of the World Cup. 

Araujo with a nice bit of dribbling to get past two defenders and he squared it to Betancur who wound up and tried a shot from distance but that shot was always rising over the bar. 

Lamine trying to take on the entire back line of Uruguay and he almost did it was a little spin at the top of the area. Not much happening for Spain or for Lamine. He's trying to force himself into this match. 

Free kick for Uruguay around from a ways away and that ball to the back post was claimed but Simon, but he spilled it again and Canobbio had a chance to put it on frame with the keeper out of position. A wall of Spain defenders made sure that Simon wasn't going to get caught out. 

Betancur with another chances to put a ball into the box and this time that cross made Simon think a little more but Araujo was a half step late. 

Spain just a little loose at the back. Some of the balls from the back have led to Uruguay getting their best chances of the night. 

Darwin pokes it away from Cucurella and tried to put in a cross that was much to easy for Simon to collect. 

Rodri gives it away to Valverde in a dangerous spot and he crossed it in for Nunez who tried to flick it on to the back post but no one in a blue shirt was there. 

We are back in play after the quick break. 

WE ARE AT THE HYDRATION BREAK FROM GUADALAJARA. 

Ball sent to the right side and Yamal let it roll through his legs for Llorente to run on to. He sent a ball into the area and it took a deflection and took a dangerous bounce in front of Musiera. No one in a white shirt could get to it before the keeper could smother it. 

Cucurella and Canobbio get tangled up in the middle of the park and that is going to be the game plan for this Uruguay side. They want to rough this slick, suave Spain team. 

Baena with another great ball to the back post. The keeper came off his line and looked to punch it away but whiffed and it caught Cubarsi off guard. He was all alone and had the mouth of goal wide open. 

Another corner kick for Spain, and that is number five. 

Uruguay are paying plenty of attention to Yamal on the right side. He got a couple of chances early on, but they have made some adjustments and he is now finding it a little harder to find space. He's a magic man, it doesn't take him much to create that space, but so for so good for URU. 

Baena to the back post for Cubarsi who got a head to it but couldn't keep that effort down. 

Corner kick coming for Spain that three or four already for La Roja. 

Yamal won the ball back in the middle of the pitch but just for a moment. He was pushed off the ball by Sanabria and looked for a foul, but the ref wasn't interested in his appeals. That's been a common trend in this World Cup. No tiki tak fouls. The refs are letting them play. 

Baena gifted Valverde the ball trying to pass out of the back and that almost turned to disaster. The URU captain looked to slide it through for Nunez but it was cut out by Cubarsi. 

Sanabria plays Nunez in behind the back line but the flag went up for offside on URU's first push up the park. 

Uruguay have barley had a touch in the attacking half of the pitch. There are on their back foot looking to keep Spain's dangermen in front of them. 

Betancur's corner was a little better but nodded away by Caceres. 

Ball to the front post from Yamal is deflected out for another corner kick. 

Corner kick for Spain after Yamal chased down a ball at the bi line and deflected it off a defender. 

Araujo's cross from the left side popped up off the head of Laporte and should have been easy for Simon, but he fumbled it and was spared of his blushes by this defenders who cleared their lines before Uruguay could get a touch. 

Betancur tripped up by Merino in a place where Uruguay can get some bodies in the box for the free kick. 

Darwin Nunez playing up top for Uruguay and he's going to be the dangerman looking to give a little support to Araujo. 

Pedri looking to link up with this Barca teammate Lamine Yamal, but that pass to the end line was a touch too heavy. 

Lamine Yamal picked off a pass from Betancur in the middle of the park and had an alley towards goal but left the ball behind for a split second. He had to poke it over to Oyarzabal who put a shot of frame that was pushed aside for a corner by Musiera.

The sun is shining after a stormy afternoon here in Mexico. The pressure is palpable. This match means a lot to both teams, and let's see if that forces them to come out and go after the game from the start. 

WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM ESTADIO GUADALAJARA!!!

A minute of silence is being observed for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Venezuela. 

Spain are wearing their white kits that they released for the World Cup and I must say, it's one of the best jerseys of the entire tournament. 

The players are coming out of the tunnel and we are about to get the biggest match of the day underway. It's the penultimate day of the group stages, and there are still a lot of spots up for grabs in the round of 32. The winner of this match is moving on as the winner of the group. 

World Cup 2026

What happens if teams end up with the same number of points in the World Cup group stage?

Change up the system

Unlike previous World Cups, the format on tiebreakers has changed. They used to be decided on goal difference, but now that has been changed to head to head results. If the two teams are level on points, and drew in the head to head match, then it will be decided by goal difference. This is just one of the many changes to the tournament we have seen this year. Others being the number of teams, a round of 32, and new rules to help speed up the game and cut out delays or time wasting tactics. 

Weather threat gone?

The players are out on the pitch and have been warming up for quite some time. The rain looks like it has blown over and there is even some sunlight shining through here in Guadalajara. 

Confirmed round 32 matches 

There are 16 matches to come in the next round of the tournament, but at the moment there are only four confirmed matches that have been set in stone for the  round of 32. The first of which is the first match of the next round. Canada and South Africa will kick off the next stage of the tournament on Sunday. Brazil and Japan will play the following day and so will the Netherlands and Morocco. USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only other match that has been confirmed, but there is sure to be more clarity after today's batch of games. 

A Real goal threat

While Lamine Yamal gets all the accolades, it's the No. 9 that has been the most dangerous over the last year and a half. Mikel Oyarzabal has 14 goals since January of 2025. The Real Sociedad man needs to keep that up to help his team tonight and beyond. 

Eliminated teams 

There are only two more days left in the group stages and there are a lot of teams still holding on to hope for their World Cup campaign to be extended. As of right now there are only six teams that have been officially eliminated from the next stage of the tournament. 

Czechia 

Jordan 

Haiti 

Türkiye 

Curacao 

Tunisia 

Panama 

Qatar  

Iraq

One more day of group stages 

We are almost at the end of the group stages. It´s true that there won't be as many games after this, but the action doesn’t stop, and it’s all about quality of matches, not quantity. Tomorrow is the final day of group stage matches with Group L, Group K and Group J all wrapping up their groups. England headline the early matches, while Portugal and Colombia battle for the top spot in Group K and Messi and Argentina will wrap up their group stage campaign before heading into the round of 32. 

Who is the favorite to lift the World Cup

The odds board hasn’t changed a whole lot over the first two weeks and some change of the World Cup. According to Bet365 France has distanced themselves as the outright favorite at +450 odds following their win over Norway. Spain are in second with +650 odds, and Argentina are +700 to have a repeat of last World Cup in Qatar. England, Portugal and Brazil round out the top 6. 

World Cup 2026

World Cup 2026 conspiracy? Why some believe Austria could lose on purpose to Algeria

Austria and Algeria, prepped to lose?

There are suspicions that maybe just maybe Austria and Algeria will be inclined to lose to open up an easier path in the round of 32. A second placed finish would set up a match with Spain, while a near certain third placed finish would most likely set up a much easier knockout round match. Our Roddy Cons has more. 

Whats on the line

This match is massive. You want to win the group, but when you look down the line and see the opponents that await the first and second placed teams coming out of this group you see this game is life and death. The first placed team will face Austria or Algeria. 

The other match 

The other match in this group is about to kick off at the same time this one does. That one is also carrying plenty of next round implications. The winner of that match with take over the second spot in the table if Spain beat Uruguay. Even if Uruguay draw with Spain, if there is a winner in the other match then they would jump the Uruguayans. 

Bielsa dealing with rebellion?

We always knew this was going to be a possibility. Marco Bielsa is considered somewhat of a mad genius in the soccer world. There are rumors of a dressing room rebellion in the Uruguay camp and that is a troublesome sight ahead the biggest day of the tournament so far. 

Weather a concern

There is a massive down pour currently blanketing the stadium in Guadalajara. We are an hour from kick off and let's hope the game begins on time. There is currently no lightening in the area, but we are keeping our eyes peeled. 

Spain´s spotty start 

Spain had an awful start to the World Cup. They drew against a brave Cabo Verde side who were making their debut against one of the favorites to win the tournament. While a draw to open the campaign isn't exactly ideal, they will take solace in the fact that the one World Cup they did win was a World Cup in which they started with a loss against Switzerland in the opening match back in 2010. Argentina became the only other World Cup winner to lose their first game when they lost to Saudi Arabia in Qatar four years ago. 

Uruguay XI 

We have Bielsa's XI for this decisive match from Guadalajara. It's Muslera in goal with Varela, Caceres, Olivera and Sanabria in the back. Valverde, Ugarte and Bentancur in the middle with Canobbio, Nunez and Araujo up top. 

Nico still on the mend 

While Lamine Yamal gets most of the accolades, maybe one of the most underrated, and understated players on the this Spain team in Nico Williams. Like Lamine, he came into this tournament recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out the final three league games in Spain. The Athletic Bilbao winger had 6 goals and 3 assists in 25 matches in the league, and was far from his best self, but with this team he usually shines. He played just three minutes in the game against Cabo Verde and 29 against Saudi Arabia. 

Star watch: Spain

Who else could we put in this part of our preview other than Lamine Yamal? Spain has a lot of really good players, but none of them are considered the next great of a generation. Yamal splashed on to the scene in Barcelona and soon after was an essential part of the Euro winning Spain side as a high schooler. Now he is on the biggest stage in the sport, looking to extend his legacy to the World Cup. 

Star watch: Uruguay

I was getting ready to put Fede Valverde in the star watch portion of the preview but then I remembered that Maximiliano Araujo has been the best player in this tournament for Uruguay. He has been involved in all three goals Uruguay have scored, scoring two and assisting one. Spain know who they are going to have to keep their eyes on tonight, and it's the Sporting CP triggerman. 

Spain XI

We have a couple changes to the XI from last match. It's Marcos Llorente and Mikel Merino in the XI against Uruguay heading into tonight’s must win match. It’s Simon, Llorente, Laporte, Cubarsi and Cucurella in the back with Rodri, Mikel Merino, Pedri in the middle and Lamine Yamal and Baena out on the wings looking to find Oyarzabal in as the No. 9.

Group H outlook 

Taking a look at Group H on this final matchday it's quite surprising to see things so tight. Cabo Verde has been the shock of the tournament with two draws in two matches. With a win they could see themselves finish second, or even first if everything goes perfectly for the debutants.  Saudi are still not out of it, and could finish as high as second if they beat Cabo Verde and Spain beat Uruguay. Spain vs. Uruguay is the big ticket tonight, but the other match has just as much riding on the line. 

Spain´s last match 

The 2024 Euro winners got off to a rigid start in this World Cup campaign. They were the favorites in many peoples books, but after draw to Cabo Verde in the first match their odds started to plummet. They got back to their winning ways against Saudi Arabia, releasing some pent up frustration on the Green Falcons. Lamine Yamal got the start after coming off the bench in the first match and scored within the first 10 minutes. Mikel Oyarzabal had a first half brace after scoring goals in the 21st and 24th minute and Marc Cucurella should have had a goal but instead it was awarded an own goal on Tambakti over Saudi Arabia. Spain was the first side to earn three points in the group and that's why they are at the top of the table. 

Uruguay's last match

It has been a drastically underwhelming performance from Uruguay in this tournament so far. After a 1-1 draw to Saudi to open the campaign, they were served up another shock by Cabo Verde. Kevin Lenini put the debutants up a goal in the 21st minute but a rapid fire sequence of goals right before the break gave Uruguay the lead at the half. Maximiliano Araujo scored his second goal of the tournament in the 44th minute, and in the sixth minute of stoppage time it was Augustin Canobbio give Uruguay the lead. Helio Varela equalized in the 61st minute and Cabo Verde pulled off their second straight stunning draw to earn as second point and stay level with Uruguay. 

We are live from Guadalajara  

Hello everyone and welcome to this decisive match up in Group H. These two teams were projected to be in this situation, and it's been a bit of a winding road to get here but this is the match up we were hoping for and there is plenty on the line tonight from Estadio Akron. For Spain, a win or even a draw would most likely be enough to get them through to the next round as the group winner. For Uruguay, they need to win to secure themselves a round 32 spot. If they lose and either Saudi Arabia or Cabo Verde win, they would see their place in second disappear and could be left without one of the eight third place spots in the knockout stage. 

Uruguay vs. Spain live 

This is the match that everyone has been waiting for in Group H. Some of the results leading up to tonight may have been a bit of a shock to supporters of these two sides and soccer fans around the world, but in the end we got what we wanted. Spain and Uruguay in a tussle for the top spot in Group H and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight's game from Guadalajara.