Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rodri and Spain qualify for knockout stage as Group H toppers

Man City 2026 World Cup Watch: Rodri and Spain qualify for knockout stage as Group H toppersSpain edged Uruguay 1-0 in Guadalajara to seal top spot in Group H and advance to the World Cup knockouts on Friday evening.Luis de la Fuente‘s side dominated the ball throughout, but a resilient Uruguayan defensive structure kept Rodri and co at bay for large portions of the match.The breakthrough arrived just before half-time when Alex Baena drove in a strike near the edge of the area that veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to hold, the ball trickling over the line.

Fabrizio Romano explains why contract talks between Man City and Rodri have been put on holdIt was a moment of individual error that proved decisive: Muslera was replaced at the interval by Bielsa. Uruguay grew into the game in the second-half, with Nicolás de la Cruz forcing Unai Simón into a strong save, while Ferran Torres blazed over from a golden one-on-one chance.Late drama saw Agustín Canobbio receive a red card as tensions boiled over.

Baena, reflecting on his first World Cup goal, admitted it was among the most joyful of his career.The defeat eliminated Uruguay, who finished with only two points, while Cape Verde‘s 0-0 draw elsewhere earned the debutants a historic place in the knockout rounds.Rodri match statistics vs UruguayMinutes played – 90Goals – 0Assists – 0Expected assists (xA) – 0.

03xG + xA – 0.03Accurate passes – 100/106 (94%)Chances created – 0Defensive contributions – 6Touches – 118Touches in opposition box – 0Successful dribbles – 0/1 (0%)Passes into final third – 6Accurate long balls – 1/2 (50%)Dispossessed – 2Defensive contributions – 6Tackles – 5Blocks – 0Clearances – 1Headed clearance – 1Interceptions – 0Recoveries – 6Dribbled past – 3Ground duels won – 5/14 (36%)Aerial duels won – 1/2 (50%)Was fouled – 0Fouls committed – 3Data courtesy of FotMob.