Spain showcased their trademark possession-heavy style to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uruguay in a tense FIFA World Cup 2026 clash. Controlling 67% of the ball, La Roja starved the South Americans of service and dictated the tempo of the match from the opening whistle. Uruguay, known for their defensive resilience, sat deep in a compact block but struggled to launch effective counter-attacks, frequently being caught offside as they tried to breach Spain’s high line.

The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute through Álex Baena, who clinically converted what would prove to be Spain's only shot on target of the entire match. Baena’s decisive moment capped a lively first-half performance, though his afternoon grew complicated when he picked up a yellow card immediately after the interval. He was eventually substituted in the 66th minute as Spain manager opted to protect the lead and inject fresh energy into the midfield.

Uruguay's attempts to claw their way back into the game saw them ring the changes, including bringing on midfield engine Federico Valverde and defender Juan Manuel Sanabria. However, they could only muster a single shot on target, finding it impossible to break through Spain's suffocating defensive structure. As time ran out, frustrations boiled over for La Celeste. In a chaotic 90th minute, Nicolás De La Cruz was booked, and Agustín Canobbio was shown a straight red card, sealing a disciplined, tactical victory for Spain and leaving Uruguay to regroup after a costly defeat.