World Cup 2026: Baena's Strike Sends Spain Through as Uruguay Exit

One Baena moment settles it in Guadalajara

At the World Cup 2026, Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and the margin flattered no one. Spain controlled the ball, controlled the tempo, and took the one clean chance that mattered. Uruguay, by contrast, struggled to lay a glove on the game.

Alex Baena's strike on 42 minutes, set up by Marcos Llorente, proved decisive. The numbers underline the gulf. Spain held 67% possession to Uruguay's 33%, registered 0.86 expected goals (xG, a measure of chance quality) against 0.2, and completed 553 passes to Uruguay's 228. Both sides managed only one shot on target, which tells you Uruguay never really threatened to find an equaliser.

The result confirms Spain top of Group H on seven points with a goal difference of plus five. Uruguay finish third on two points and are eliminated; ranked eleventh among the third-placed sides, they do not make the cut, as only the eight best thirds advance to the Round of 32.

How Spain and Uruguay lined up at the Akron

Baena's goal, then a Uruguay unravelling

The game turned just before the break. On 42 minutes Baena finished off a Llorente assist, and Uruguay reacted immediately at half-time, sending on Nicolas de la Cruz for Manuel Ugarte and replacing Fernando Muslera with Sergio Rochet at the restart. Baena collected a yellow card a minute later.

The second half settled into a familiar shape: Spain in possession, Uruguay chasing and accumulating bookings. Jonathan Sanabria and Guillermo Varela both went into the referee's book either side of Federico Valverde's withdrawal for Federico Vinas. Spain rotated freely, with Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo arriving for Pedri and Mikel Merino on the hour, and later Nico Williams and Ferran Torres coming on for Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal.

It ended in chaos for Uruguay. De la Cruz was booked in stoppage time, and on 90+5 Agustin Canobbio was shown a red card, leaving the side down to ten as the final whistle confirmed their exit.

The community backed Spain — and were proved right

The futbol.so community leaned firmly towards Spain, with a clear consensus behind a Spanish win. The most-picked scoreline was Uruguay 1 - Spain 2, so the direction was spot on even if the exact margin came in tighter. Fans contributing from Colombia and Argentina also tilted Spain's way.

The official forecast agreed, making Spain the most likely winners and even nailing the 1-0 result on the nose. Reality matched the mood: Spain won, just with a touch less drama at the front end than predicted.

Video highlights

FIFA WC 2026 | Uruguay - Spain 0:1 | Group H | 3. kolo

Only available in BA, ME, MK +2

Uruguay was looking for a FIGHT against Spain in Group H 💥 - Alejandro Moreno | ESPN FC

No geo restriction

Unai Simón Save | Uruguay 0-1 Spain | FIFA World Cup 2026™

No geo restriction

Highlights | Uruguay 0-1 Spain | FIFA World Cup 2026™

No geo restriction

Résumé : URUGUAY – ESPAGNE, énorme pression sur la Celeste ! Une défaite et c’est l’élimination (J3)

Only available in BL, FR, GF +10

Uruguay vs España (0-1) | Resumen y goles | Highlights Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™

Only available in ES

‘Uruguay have been EMBARRASSING’ 😳 Ale Moreno on Uruguay's performance vs. Spain | ESPN FC

No geo restriction

Álex Baena Goal | Uruguay 0-1 Spain | FIFA World Cup 2026™

No geo restriction

Spain Train Before Uruguay | FIFA World Cup 2026™

No geo restriction

URUGUAY se DESPIDE del MUNDIAL con su DERROTA ante ESPAÑA. FRACASO ROTUNDO | La Copa Al Día

No geo restriction

Il gol di BAENA condanna BIELSA all'eliminazione: Uruguay-Spagna 0-1| FIFA World Cup | DAZN

Only available in IT

Uruguay 🆚 Spain #FIFAWorldCupOnYT

No geo restriction

HIGHLIGHTS - Uruguay v Spain | Winners top Group H | FIFA World Cup 2026

Only available in GB, GG, IM +1

World Cup: Uruguay vs Spain

No geo restriction

Spain march into the knockout phase as Group H winners, looking organised and ruthless with their chances. Uruguay, under Marcelo Bielsa, go home with two points and plenty of questions after a deflating finish.

Attention now turns to the Round of 32, where Spain will discover their opponent once the rest of the groups settle. On this evidence, they will fancy their chances.