Spain beat Uruguay 1-0, keeping Hong Myung-bo's side's hopes alive for a berth in the round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 on the 27th (Korea time) in the final Group H match of the group stage at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
Spain's only goal came in the 42nd minute of the first half on Alex Baena's right-footed turning shot. Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera dived to his right, but the ball glanced off his hand and crossed the goal line.
With Uruguay losing, Korea, third in Group A, remained seventh in the competition among third-place teams. As a result of this match, the number of scenarios in other groups for Korea to reach the round of 32 was reduced to two.
If two or more of the desired results for Korea occur in Group G on the 27th and in Groups J, K, and L on the 28th, Korea can advance to the round of 32.
Uruguay, which drew both its first and second matches to finish with two points, ended the group stage in third place in Group H, behind Cape Verde (three points), which drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia at the same time.
Uruguay finished 11th in the competition among third-place teams, confirming group-stage elimination for a second straight tournament after the 2022 Qatar event.
Spain topped the group with two wins and one draw, while Cape Verde advanced to the round of 32 in second with three draws.
Both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia were disjointed in attack. The teams produced only one shot on target in the first half. In second-half stoppage time, Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Al-Hamdan's right-footed attempt went straight to Vozinha, and the match ended 0-0.
Spain, aiming for a second title and its first since the 2010 South Africa tournament after 16 years, will face the Group J runner-up (Austria or Algeria) on July 3 at Los Angeles Stadium in the United States in the round of 32.
Cape Verde will face Group J winner and "defending champion" Argentina on July 4 at Miami Stadium in the United States in the round of 32.