Uruguay crash out of World Cup after narrow defeat to Spain in Group H

Key stats

- Spain have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four games in the FIFA World Cup, a run of 494 minutes without conceding a goal.

- Uruguay have failed to win in their last three games in the FIFA World Cup; their last joint-longest winless streak was from 6th July 2018 to 28th November 2022.

Highlights

Analysis

Uruguay have lost their last seven World Cup Group Stage fixtures that Luis Suarez has not played in; they haven't won a group match without the legendary striker since 1990.

Match report

Spain had the first chance of the game after just two minutes when Mikel Oyarzabal’s effort from a narrow angle was deflected into the side netting. This was not foreshadowing of an open game to come as it was nearly the half hour mark before either side came close again.

Uruguay captain Federico Valverde made inroads into the box on the right but the reinstated Darwin Núñez couldn’t get a touch on his dangerous cutback.

Rodrigo Bentancur then tried his luck from range but his effort fizzed over the bar close to HT without a shot on target at either end. However, that changed in the 42nd minute and it wasn’t one that Fernando Muslera would want to see again.

Álex Baena picked up a pass from Lamine Yamal and hit a rather tame shot on the turn, however, Uruguay's experienced goalkeeper let the ball slip through his grasp to give the reigning European champions a narrow HT lead.

Marcelo Bielsa showed no mercy and made a rather brutal substitution at the break by taking off Muslera in favour of Sergio Rochet. Uruguay had already lost Manuel Ugarte to a serious looking first-half injury and then more eyebrows were raised when Valverde was withdrawn just before the hour.

However, this failed to give the South Americans the boost they needed and, in a game of few clear-cut chances, Yamal danced his side to the byline on 70 minutes and, but for a crucial intervention from Mathías Olivera, Oyarzabal would have had a tap-in from six yards.

Olivera’s mishit cross then struck the outside of the post, before Nicolás de la Cruz stung the palms of Unai Simón from range as Uruguay desperately sought an equaliser.

Substitute Ferran Torres spurned a huge chance to seal the deal with less than five minutes remaining as he went one-on-one with Rochet after linking up with Fabián Ruiz. However, the Barcelona forward lofted the ball over the goalkeeper only to see the ball clip the crossbar on the way over.

Ultimately, though, that wouldn’t hurt Luis de la Fuente’s men as they held on for the win and reached the Round of 32 atop the group.

However, Uruguay’s disappointing tournament was summed up by a stoppage-time red card for Agustín Canobbio that was completely borne out of frustration and, despite finishing third, La Celeste’s two points would not be enough as they bowed out without a win.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)

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