Spain Advances in FIFA World Cup 2026 After Defeating Uruguay

Spain has made a remarkable comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026 by defeating Uruguay, securing their place in the Round of 32. With Alex Baena scoring the decisive goal, Spain not only achieved their first victory against Uruguay in World Cup history but also topped Group H with an impressive record. This marks a significant improvement for Spain, who had struggled in previous tournaments. They are set to face the runners-up from Group J next. Discover more about Spain's journey and their historic performance in this year's tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 27, 2026, 18:25 IST

Spain Breaks Group Stage Curse with Victory Over Uruguay

Spain has successfully qualified for the Round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup after a decisive win against Uruguay, marking a significant turnaround since their last title in 2010.

Baena's Goal Secures Spain's Progress, Uruguay Exits

A late first-half goal from Alex Baena in the 42nd minute led to Uruguay's elimination from the tournament at the group stage. This victory allowed Spain to secure the top position in Group H. They are set to compete against the runners-up from Group J in Los Angeles on July 2. This match also marked Spain's first World Cup win against Uruguay, with their previous encounters ending in draws. Alex Baena was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.

Spain's Strong Performance in the Group Stage

Spain finished the group stage with an impressive record of two wins and one draw, accumulating a total of seven points. According to Opta Analyst, this is the first time since their 2010 title run that Spain has won two matches in the group stage, having previously defeated Honduras and Chile. Notably, this is also the first time in World Cup history that Spain has completed the group stage without conceding a single goal.

In this tournament, Spain began with a goalless draw against World Cup newcomers Cape Verde, followed by a commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

In the 2014 World Cup, Spain faced an early exit with only one win and two losses. They managed to reach the Round of 16 in the 2018 and 2022 editions but only secured one victory in each.

Spain joins Mexico as the second team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to finish the group stage without conceding any goals, with Mexico winning all three of their matches.