Spain player ratings v Uruguay: Baena scores as De la Fuente’s side win again and Uruguay go out | OneFootball

Spain faced a sterner test after Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia and passed it. According to Superdeporte, Luis de la Fuente’s side needed only a point but earned a second win, eliminating Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay.

Álex Baena struck before the interval with a shot Muslera spilled, the move starting from a Marcos Llorente cross. Unai Simón recovered from early hesitation, assured with his feet and unbeaten again.

Pau Cubarsí was Spain’s standout, resisting the press, stepping in calmly and enduring a reckless Canobbio tackle. Aymeric Laporte handled Darwin smartly and carried play when required. Marc Cucurella erred once, then tightened up after the break.

Rodri anchored despite not hitting top gear. Pedri linked play but lacked his usual spark, tightly marked and repeatedly caught by robust challenges the referee let go. Mikel Merino was a surprise pick, industrious but limited.

Lamine Yamal threatened in bursts, won an early ball and slid a superb pass that Dani Olmo failed to finish, then he was clattered by Sanabria. Mikel Oyarzabal worked tirelessly without a decisive touch.

Olmo lifted the tempo, mixed invention with errors and appeared to be tripped by Viñas for a penalty that brought no response from referee or VAR. Fabián Ruiz was imprecise, Yeremi Pino was hampered and finished up as an emergency striker, Ferran Torres hit the bar again, and Nico Williams took a heavy De la Cruz tackle.

Source: Superdeporte