Post by Pete Nordsted

Spain eliminated Uruguay in Guadalajara on Friday night, and the manner of it will linger. Fernando Muslera, 40 years old and one of the most experienced goalkeepers in international football, got both hands to Álex Baena's 42nd-minute shot and pushed it into his own net. It was the only goal. It was enough. Uruguay finished the group stage with two points from three games and are going home. From a betting and trading perspective, the numbers around Spain remain striking. They have now played three group games, scored five goals, and conceded zero. Luis de la Fuente's system is built on defensive solidity first: they did not need to be brilliant on Friday, just disciplined. That profile tends to travel well into knockout football. The more interesting story may be Cape Verde. They drew all three of their Group H games, accumulated three points and advanced as runners-up. A nation with a population of around 600,000 people will face a Round of 32 opponent with far greater footballing resources. How they set up defensively in the knockout round is worth watching. For Uruguay, the tournament ended without the players to express Marcelo Bielsa's system. Rodrigo Bentancur and Giorgian De Arrascaeta were both absent through injury across the group stage. Whether this squad, with full fitness, would have found a different route through is a question with no answer. Full reaction analysis on the blog. https://lnkd.in/egpQrrmx #WorldCup2026 #Spain #Uruguay