Marc Cucurella completed the 90 minutes for Spain as they wrapped up the group stages with a narrow 1-0 win over Uruguay to end Group H with La Roja in first place.
The left-back is one of only four players to have played every minute so far for Spain alongside central defensive pairing Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí and goalkeeper Unai Simón.
This was Cucurella’s quietest game yet in the tournament. He had no real moments of note, looking secure defensively, winning both of his duels and containing
Fluminense winger Agustín Canobbio with ease. The Uruguayan was then sent off in the final moments of injury time for a late sliding tackle on Cubarsí as tensions rose.
In attack, Cucurella’s energy and momentum was not needed as much as in previous games, with Spain reserving energy and happy to avoid taking risks. Where he recorded 5.5 touches in the opposition box on average against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, he did not have any in Guadalajara against Uruguay.
The winning goal came shortly before half-time when Aglético Madrid playmaker Álex Baena hit a hopeful shot from the edge of the box and it squirmed past experienced Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who was hooked minutes later at half-time.
Also involved for Luis de la Fuente’s team was La Fábrica product Marcos Llorente, who returned to the side at right-back having been rested for the 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. He took the place of Tottenham’s Pedro Porro as he lost his plac and claimed the assist for Baena’s goal with a simple pass.
The wait also continues for former Castilla winger and recent Liverpool signing Víctor Muñoz, who is handling a hamstring injury and is yet to feature in the tournament.
On the other side of the field, Uruguay were captained by Fede Valverde, despite reports of a clash and falling out with coach Marcelo Bielsa this week regarding the approach to this game. Defeat here means that Uruguay will return home to Montevideo without winning any of their three group stage fixtures.
The result tees Spain up for a knock-out tie against the runners-up in Group J, which will be the winner of Austria or Algeria, with David Alaba’s Austria set to take that place in the case of a draw. That game will take place at in Los Angeles on Thursday.
