Uruguay 0-1 Spain: Player ratings as Alex Baena strike clinches Group H for Spain while knocking Celeste out | 2026 FIFA World Cup

× Spain beat 10-man Uruguay 1-0 in a Group H encounter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to qualify for the knockout stages as the group winners while the Celeste bow out of the tournament. Ad Alex Baena struck the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute as La Roja struggled to break down Uruguay's low block for much of the evening, but a mistake from Fernando Muslera allowed them to break the deadlock. Taking a pass from Marcos Llorente into his stride, the Atletico Madrid player took a touch and fired a routine shot which Muslera contrived to push into his own net for yet another costly error.

Ad Trending Surprisingly, Uruguay finished with more shots on target (2) than Spain (1) but neither were clinical enough to find the back of the net while also getting reduced to 10-men in stoppage time after Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Pau Cubarsi. The loss meant Uruguay finished at the bottom of Group H without a single victory and just two points in the bag, while Spain progress as group winners with seven and will the side finishing runners-up in Group J in the last-32 on 2 July. Ad Here are the player ratings for Spain.

Spain Player Ratings Unai Simon - 7/10 Spain's goalkeeper Simon wasn't really challenged much by Uruguay today, having to make just two saves. A third consecutive clean sheet for him now. Marcos Llorente - 8/10 The Atletico Madrid star offered great width down the right and drove forward at every opportunity to become a creative outlet for Spain.

Defensively, too, Llorente came up big with nine defensive contributions. Ad Pau Cubarsi - 7/10 Exemplary vision, positionally aware, and strong in the air, Cubarsi never let Uruguay have a clear sight of the goal. For someone just 19, he's incredibly solid and assured.

Spain have another bright young talent on their hands. Aymeric Laporte - 8/10 There haven't been many centre-backs at the 2026 FIFA World Cup better than Laporte, who continued his outstanding tournament with another commanding display at the heart of Spain's defense. He made a game-high of eight clearances today while winning all five of his aerial duels.

Ad Marc Cucurella - 7/10 The new Real Madrid signing was ran roughshod by Uruguay, whose aggressive style of play saw Cucurella get fouled a couple of times. He was also involved in a nasty collision with Agustin Canobbio in the 20th minute. Pedri - 8/10 He helped create Spain's opening goal with some excellent work in the build-up and continued to work tirelessly thereafter to keep the juices flowing.

Ad Rodri - 7.5/10 The pass-master was at it again, spraying passes all across the pitch while looking tidy in possession and doing all the dirty work in midfield for Spain. Lamine Yamal - 7/10 Spain's brightest spark with amazing ball control and devastating link-up play, while also leaving the Uruguayan defense in knots with his uncanny dribbling skills.

But unfortunately, no goals or assists today. Mikel Merino - 6/10 A massive letdown tonight. Having replaced Dani Olmi in the XI, Merino had a chance to prove his value, but somehow wasted it by merely waiting for a cross or a tap-in instead of helping in the build-ups.

Ad Alex Baena - 8.5/10 The 24-year-old got off the mark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a first-half strike for Spain that eventually won them the match, while also laying six crosses to emerge as a real menace to Uruguay. Mikel Oyarzabal - 5/10 Probably his worst game of the World Cup so far!

Oyarzabal was completely ineffective, offering no real threat to the Uruguayan defense while losing possession 13 times. Ad Substitutes Fabian Ruiz - 6/10 Replaced Pedri at the hour mark, but didn't look even remotely as dynamic as him. Dani Olmo - 7/10 Spain instantly looked more menacing with him in the side.

Yeremy Pino - 6/10Couldn't get involved much.Nico Williams - 6/10Was involved in a heated confrontation with Cannobio that resulted in the Uruguayan getting sent off. Ad Ferran Torres - 5/10Fired an excellent chance against the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat in a woeful miss.

× Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Vignesh Raja Spain beat 10-man Uruguay 1-0 in a Group H encounter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to qualify for the knockout stages as the group winners while the Celeste bow out of the tournament. Ad Alex Baena struck the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute as La Roja struggled to break down Uruguay's low block for much of the evening, but a mistake from Fernando Muslera allowed them to break the deadlock.

Taking a pass from Marcos Llorente into his stride, the Atletico Madrid player took a touch and fired a routine shot which Muslera contrived to push into his own net for yet another costly error. Ad Trending Surprisingly, Uruguay finished with more shots on target (2) than Spain (1) but neither were clinical enough to find the back of the net while also getting reduced to 10-men in stoppage time after Agustin Canobbio