Baena's Winner Sends Spain into World Cup Knockout Stage

Spain booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage as Group H winners with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay on Friday, thanks to a first-half goal from Alex Baena in a fiercely contested encounter that ended Marcelo Bielsa's side's campaign.

Spain topped the group with seven points from two wins and a draw, while tournament debutants Cape Verde also advanced after drawing all three of their matches. Uruguay finished with two points, level with bottom side Saudi Arabia, and were eliminated.

"Today's game really tested us," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. "We've faced very demanding opponents throughout the group stage, and the team has always responded. This was a different kind of challenge, and once again the players stepped up.

"We're delighted to have come through three very difficult matches," he added.

Baena scored the decisive goal three minutes before halftime, unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area that veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to keep out, allowing the ball to slip through his hands and into the net.

The mistake proved costly for Muslera, who was substituted at halftime after deciding he could not continue, according to Bielsa. The goal came while Manuel Ugarte and Lamine Yamal were receiving treatment on the pitch, but play continued and Baena remained composed to give Spain the lead.

"It may be the goal that has made me happiest," Baena said. "We knew it would be a very difficult match.

"They were fighting to stay alive, and we were fighting to finish top of the group. We weren't at our best, but we competed really well."

Uruguay start brightly

Uruguay made an aggressive start, focusing on limiting Lamine Yamal's influence by tightly marking the teenage winger through Guillermo Varela and the rest of the defence.

Spain's best early opportunities came from set pieces. Pau Cubarsi headed wide from a Baena corner in the 16th minute before missing another close-range chance four minutes later from a similar delivery.

Uruguay's clearest chance before the break arrived in the 27th minute when Federico Valverde forced Rodri into losing possession before setting up Darwin Nunez. However, instead of shooting, the striker attempted a backheel and the opportunity went to waste.

The pattern remained largely unchanged after halftime, with Uruguay enjoying possession but lacking the cutting edge in the final third. Substitute Federico Vinas nearly made an immediate impact, but his left-footed effort from Maxi Araujo's cross sailed over the bar.

"I wasn't able to get the best out of the potential of the Uruguayan players," Bielsa admitted. "After taking off Valverde, I wanted the team to attack with greater aggression," he said, explaining the change was intended to improve creativity.

Spain introduced Dani Olmo midway through the second half, and he missed a good chance after being picked out by Lamine Yamal in the 63rd minute, although Luis de la Fuente's side remained comfortably in control.

Uruguay mounted late pressure, but goalkeeper Unai Simon produced key saves to deny Mathias Olivera and Nicolas de la Cruz.

Spain nearly sealed the win in the closing stages when Ferran Torres struck the crossbar after being set up by Fabian Ruiz.

Inside Guadalajara Stadium, Mexican and Spanish supporters joined together in singing "Cielito Lindo" as Uruguay's hopes faded.

The frustration finally boiled over deep into stoppage time when Agustin Canobbio was sent off for a reckless tackle on Cubarsi, bringing Uruguay's disappointing World Cup campaign to a bitter end.