Spain Defeats Uruguay 1-0, Keeping Hong Myung-bo’s Team in 7th Place

Spain defeated Uruguay, keeping the hopes of Hong Myung-bo’s team alive for advancing to the Round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
Spain won 1-0 against Uruguay in their final Group H match of the group stage, held at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, on June 27 (KST).
With Uruguay’s loss, South Korea, which finished 3rd in Group A, maintained its 7th position in the competition among the 3rd-place teams from each group.
In this tournament, which features 48 nations, not only the top two teams from each of the 12 groups but also the top eight 3rd-place teams advance to the Round of 32 knockout stage.
As a result of this match, the number of scenarios in other group games required for South Korea to reach the Round of 32 has been reduced to two.
If the desired outcomes for South Korea occur in two of the groups—including the Group G match held later today and the Group J, K, and L matches taking place tomorrow—South Korea will dramatically advance to the Round of 32.
Uruguay, which finished with 2 points after drawing both of its first two matches, ended the group stage in 3rd place in Group H.
Falling to 11th place in the ranking of 3rd-place teams, Uruguay has been confirmed to be eliminated from the group stage for the second consecutive tournament, following the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Spain, with 2 wins and 1 draw, advanced to the Round of 32 as the group winner.
Spain is aiming for its second title, 16 years after its victory in the 2010 South Africa tournament.
Led by rising star Lamine Yamal on the right wing, Spain dominated the match but struggled to create decisive scoring opportunities against Uruguay’s persistent defense.
In fact, Spain even allowed shots from Uruguay due to unstable ball handling by goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Left winger Alex Baena, who had been quiet throughout the match, changed the momentum in the 42nd minute of the first half with his first shot.
Receiving a pass from Marcos Llorente, Baena fired a right-footed turning shot from the center of the penalty area.
Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera read the direction and dove to the right, but the ball deflected off his hand and crossed the goal line.
Spain successfully weathered Uruguay’s offensive surge early in the second half and regained control of the game.
In the 18th minute of the second half, a golden opportunity created by Yamal, who penetrated the right flank and crossed the ball to the center, was wasted as Dani Olmo’s shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.
Spain escaped several late crises thanks to saves by Simon, who had regained his composure.
In the 42nd minute of the second half, Spain’s Ferran Torres faced the goalkeeper one-on-one, but his shot hit the crossbar, leaving the team frustrated.
In the 45th minute of the second half, players from both teams tangled and fell during a scramble in front of the Spanish goal. Uruguay players strongly appealed to the referee for a penalty kick, but it was not granted.
Instead, Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio was sent off in the 50th minute of the second half for rough play, forcing the team to accept defeat while at a numerical disadvantage.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.