Baena strike sends Spain past Uruguay into World Cup knockouts

GUADALAJARA, Mexico: Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 on Friday (Jun 26) to top Group H and reach the knockout stage of the World Cup, with Alex Baena's first-half strike enough to settle a tense, physical contest and leave Marcelo Bielsa's side out of the tournament.

Spain finished with seven points from two wins and a draw, while newcomers Cape Verde claimed the second knockout berth after three consecutive draws. Uruguay bowed out with two points, level with bottom-placed Saudi Arabia.

Baena broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when he found space near the edge of the area and drove in a powerful effort that veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to hold, the ball slipping from his grasp and trickling into the net.

It was a costly mistake from Muslera, who was replaced at half-time. The goal came with both Manuel Ugarte and Lamine Yamal down injured as play continued, but Baena kept his focus and Spain took full advantage.

"It might be one of the goals that has made me happiest," Baena told local TV. "We knew it was going to be a tough match.

"They were fighting for their lives, and we were fighting for the top spot. We didn't show our best form, but we competed very well," he added.

Uruguay had begun aggressively, determined to deny Lamine space on the right, with Guillermo Varela and the rest of the defence keeping tight to the 18-year-old.

Spain mostly threatened from set pieces in the opening half. Pau Cubarsi headed wide from a Baena corner in the 16th minute and missed again from close range four minutes later following another Baena delivery.

Uruguay's best first-half chance came after Federico Valverde pressed Rodri into an error in the 27th minute and then found Darwin Nunez inside the area, but the forward chose to attempt a backheel rather than shoot and the opportunity went begging.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Uruguay pushing but lacking precision in the final third. Federico Vinas replaced Valverde and almost made an impact, but his left-footed effort from a Maxi Araujo cross flew high and wide.

Spain introduced Dani Olmo, who missed a chance from the middle of the box after a cross from Lamine in the 63rd minute, but Luis de la Fuente's side looked in control.

Uruguay pressed late, but Simon denied Mathias Olivera and then saved Nicolas de la Cruz's right-footed shot from outside the box.

Ferran Torres nearly doubled Spain's lead when he hit the crossbar with a right-footed effort from just inside the area following a pass from Fabian Ruiz.

Inside the Guadalajara stadium, Mexican and Spanish fans sang "Cielito Lindo" with the chorus "sing and do not cry" as Uruguay's frustration mounted.

That frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Agustin Canobbio was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Cubarsi, capping a bitter end to Uruguay's campaign.

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa controversially substituted Valverde on the hour mark and said the decision to replace Muslera at half-time had been taken by the player himself.

"Journalists and fans of Uruguayan football legitimately want to pin the blame on me. I'm the person responsible and I have to accept it," said Bielsa.

Spain, the reigning European champions, will face Austria or Algeria next in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Hyped as one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain are now 34 competitive games unbeaten and are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup

But another laboured attacking performance leaves Spain coach Luis de la Fuente with plenty to ponder.

To add to La Roja's concerns a shoulder injury suffered by Yeremy Pino may have ended his tournament, while Nico Williams also ended a bruising encounter with a muscle problem.

"In football, you can't always play with the brilliance you wish for, or that we are capable of showing at other times," said De la Fuente.

"We maintained an incredibly high level of concentration, responsibility, and composure, and we avoided rising to the many provocations that could have led to serious trouble."

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