Spain secured top spot in Group H with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara, a result that, combined with Cape Verde’s goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, eliminated the two-time world champions and propelled the African debutants into the knockout phase. Álex Baena’s 42nd-minute strike, a low shot that squirmed through the grasp of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, proved decisive in a tense, often ill-tempered contest.

Uruguay, needing a win to have any chance of progressing, started cautiously and struggled to create clear openings. Spain controlled possession but lacked incision until Marcos Llorente’s cross found Baena, whose effort should have been gathered by the 40-year-old Muslera. The error, his third costly mistake of the tournament, prompted coach Marcelo Bielsa to replace him with Sergio Rochet at half-time. The second half saw Uruguay push forward with greater urgency, but Unai Simón was rarely troubled, and Ferran Torres struck the crossbar late on for Spain. Tensions that had simmered throughout the group stage surfaced when Bielsa withdrew captain Federico Valverde on the hour mark; the Real Madrid midfielder covered his mouth with his shirt as he spoke to team-mates on the bench, a gesture widely interpreted in South American media as a sign of the fractured relationship between squad and coach. Uruguay’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Agustín Canobbio was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí.

The defeat confirmed Uruguay’s second consecutive group-stage exit, having also fallen at the first hurdle in Qatar 2022. Draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia had left them with only two points, and Bielsa accepted responsibility, telling reporters: “I’m the person responsible and I have to accept it.” Spain, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run in competitive matches to 34 and have yet to concede a goal in the tournament, though their attacking output has drawn scrutiny from European analysts. King Felipe VI watched from the stands as La Roja laboured to break down a deep-lying Uruguayan defence, with Lamine Yamal’s influence fading before he was substituted.

Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston secured second place with three points, all from draws. The island nation, the smallest ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds, will face defending champions Argentina in Miami. Spain will meet the runner-up from Group J — either Austria or Algeria — in Los Angeles. For Uruguay, the inquest into a campaign marred by internal discord and defensive fragility has already begun.