Uruguay vs Spain — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-903CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · GUADALAJARA

Uruguay

0–1

Spain

Match events

M. UgarteOn: N. de la Cruz45'
F. MusleraOn: S. Rochet46'
J. Sanabria54'
F. ValverdeOn: F. Vinas57'
G. Varela58'
J. SanabriaOn: B. Rodriguez70'
N. de la Cruz90+3'
A. Canobbio90+5'

0–142'A. Baenaassist M. Llorente
46'A. Baena
60'PedriOn: F. Ruiz
60'M. MerinoOn: D. Olmo
66'A. BaenaOn: Y. Pino
76'Lamine YamalOn: N. Williams
76'M. OyarzabalOn: F. Torres

URUMatch statsESP

33%Possession67%

5Shots6

1Shots on Target1

1Corners6

14Fouls14

3Yellow Cards1

1Red Cards0

—

Uruguay — starting XI

4-1-4-1

Bench

7Nicolás de la Cruz
1Sergio Rochet
21Federico Viñas
18Brian Rodríguez
12Santiago Mele
17Matías Viña
24Santiago Bueno
2José María Giménez
4Ronald Araújo
22Joaquín Piquerez
15Emiliano Martínez
10Giorgian de Arrascaeta
11Facundo Pellistri
19Rodrigo Aguirre
26Rodrigo Zalazar

Spain — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

8Fabián Ruiz
10Dani Olmo
11Yéremy Pino
17Nico Williams
7Ferran Torres
13Joan García
1David Raya
2Marc Pubill
4Eric García
12Pedro Porro
9Pablo Gavi
18Martín Zubimendi
3Alejandro Grimaldo
26Borja Iglesias
25Víctor Muñoz

All-time meetings

Uruguay wins

Draws

Spain wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

28.8

Average Age

26.8

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

Uruguay

Jun 27

vs Spain

World Cup · Group Stage - 3 · Estadio Akron

0–1

Jun 21

vs Cape Verde Islands

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Hard Rock Stadium

2–2

Jun 15

at Saudi Arabia

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Hard Rock Stadium

1–1

Mar 31

at Algeria

Friendlies · Friendly International · Allianz Stadium

0–0

Mar 27

at England

Friendlies · Friendly International · Wembley Stadium

1–1

Spain

Jun 27

at Uruguay

World Cup · Group Stage - 3 · Estadio Akron

1–0

Jun 21

vs Saudi Arabia

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

4–0

Jun 15

vs Cape Verde Islands

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

0–0

Jun 9

at Peru

Friendlies · Friendly International

3–1

Jun 4

vs Iraq

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Riazor

1–1

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

// Central midfield · The tempo controllers

M. Ugarte

#5 · Manchester United

Pedri

#20 · Barcelona

Ugarte's bite and work rate will test Pedri's composure in possession. The Manchester United midfielder must disrupt Spain's build-up without overcommitting; Pedri has the craft to slip past pressing defenders, but Ugarte's recovery pace could force sloppy moments. Intensity over elegance will define this duel.

// Centre-forward vs Centre-back · The physicality test

Núñez's pace and directness will probe Laporte's positional discipline and recovery speed. The Liverpool striker thrives on chaos and quick transitions; Laporte, despite recent moves, remains a technician who prefers to read the game rather than absorb repeated shocks. Núñez's explosive runs could exploit any hesitation.

// Right winger vs Left full-back · The width battle

Pellistri's dribbling and unpredictability will test Cucurella's concentration on the flank. The Chelsea defender is athletic but occasionally erratic; Pellistri, rebuilding form at Panathinaikos, has the flair to drift inside or whip crosses. Space in transition could decide who controls the right side.

06 · Style Clash

Compact Grit vs Silky Control

Uruguay will deploy a **rigid, counter-attacking shape** with emphasis on winning the ball quickly and exploiting spaces behind Spain's advancing full-backs. Spain, by contrast, seeks **patient build-up play and central dominance** through midfield circulation and overloads.

// Compact and combative

Uruguay

// Possession and progression

Spain

Compact

Defensive shape

Fluid

Direct

Ball progression

Intricate

Explosive

Transition tempo