Spain lead Uruguay at halftime, boosting South Korea's round-of-32 hopes

Spain took a 1-0 lead into halftime against Uruguay in their Group H match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, a result that would improve South Korea's chances of advancing to the round of 32.

The match, the third and final Group H fixture, is being played at Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico on Saturday (Korean time).

Spain, who lead Group H with one win and one draw, started Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri, Merino, Cucurella, Cubarsí, Laporte, Llorente and Simón.

Uruguay, who have two draws, fielded Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde alongside Rodrigo Bentancur — once a teammate of Son Heung-min at Tottenham — as well as Araújo, Núñez, Canobbio, Ugarte, Sanabria, Olivera, Cáceres, Varela and Muslera.

Spain controlled the match for much of the first half, building play through the left flank where Lamine Yamal operates. Uruguay held firm with a compact defensive block deep in their own half, making it difficult for Spain to break through.

Uruguay posed a threat of their own, capitalizing on Spanish passing errors to launch counterattacks down the flanks. Spain goalkeeper Simón repeatedly fumbled aerial balls, and Bentancur tested him with a dangerous long-range effort around the 35th minute.

Spain broke the deadlock just before the break. Around the 42nd minute, Baena's shot slipped through Muslera's hands to put Spain ahead 1-0.

Should the result hold, South Korea's chances of reaching the round of 32 would increase significantly. At this World Cup, the top eight third-place finishers across all groups advance to the knockout stage, and South Korea currently sit seventh in that standings. For South Korea to secure a favorable position, Spain need to beat Uruguay.