Spain completed the group stage with three victories from three matches, defeating Uruguay 1-0 to comfortably secure first place in Group H. The other qualification spot went to World Cup debutants Cape Verde, whose goalless draw against Saudi Arabia was enough to write a remarkable chapter in the nation's football history.

For Uruguay, meanwhile, the tournament ended in bitter disappointment.

Cape Verde Complete Fairytale Run

The biggest celebration of the night belonged to Cape Verde.

Knowing that a draw could be enough if Spain avoided defeat, the African side produced another disciplined defensive display against Saudi Arabia. Chances were limited throughout the contest, but that suited Cape Verde perfectly as they edged closer to a historic qualification.

Their best opportunity fell to Laros Duarte, who was denied in a one-on-one situation by Mohammed Al-Owais.

Saudi Arabia nearly snatched victory deep into stoppage time when Abdullah Al Hamdan found space inside the box, only for veteran goalkeeper Vozinha to preserve the crucial clean sheet.

The final whistle confirmed an unforgettable achievement. After collecting three draws in three matches, Cape Verde advanced to the Round of 32 in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

Their reward is a daunting knockout clash against defending champions Argentina.

Muslera's Nightmare Continues

In the group's other fixture, Uruguay desperately needed a positive result against Spain but were once again let down by costly defensive mistakes.

The decisive moment arrived shortly before halftime.

Alex Baena unleashed a routine effort from outside the area, yet Fernando Muslera completely misjudged the shot, allowing the ball to slip into the net. The goal proved enough to decide not only the match but also Uruguay's World Cup fate.

It was another painful error from the experienced goalkeeper, who had already endured several difficult moments earlier in the tournament.

Spain Cruise Into Knockout Stage

After taking the lead, Spain never looked under serious pressure.

Luis de la Fuente's side controlled possession, dictated the tempo and came close to extending their advantage when Ferran Torres rattled the crossbar.

Uruguay struggled to create meaningful chances as frustration continued to grow. Late appeals for a penalty involving Dani Olmo and Federico Vinas were waved away, before Agustin Canobbio was sent off in stoppage time, reducing the South Americans to ten men.

Spain's narrow victory completed a flawless group-stage campaign and reinforced their status as one of the favorites to challenge for the World Cup title.

For Uruguay, however, the tournament ends in disappointment, while Cape Verde emerge as one of the breakout stories of the 2026 World Cup.