Spain finished at the top of Group H after outlasting Uruguay 1-0 in a fiery encounter at Guadalajara Stadium.
With Uruguay desperate to avoid a second-straight group-stage exit, Spain looked much more comfortable in the early stages, though neither side were able to quickly get off the mark.
That all changed in the 42nd minute however, when Spanish midfielder Alex Baena received a clean cross in the box and was able to get just enough touch on it to guide it towards the bottom right of the goal.
Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando Muslera appeared to do enough to save the shot, but he was unable to take control of the ball and it dribbled into the back of the net.
The bad news was compounded for Uruguay three minutes later when Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off after colliding with one of his team-mates.
Uruguay needed a spark out of the break, and coach Marcelo Bielsa hoped to find something by replacing Muslera with Sergio Rochet. They were the clear aggressors to start the second half and the change in demeanour led to multiple half-chances, but Uruguay were unable to convert.
Spain looked certain to extend their lead in the 62nd minute when a quality run from Lamine Yamal opened up a prime opportunity for Dani Olmo at the top of the box.
He opted to try and loft the ball over the top of the keeper but put a touch too much weight on it and it fell harmlessly onto the top of the net.
Uruguay quickly retook the momentum and routinely threatened Spain’s goal in the later stages, but keeper Unai Simon was up to every challenge.
Spain again looked certain to seal the win in the 85th minute when a Ferran Torres give-and-go put him one-on-one with Rochet, but his shot rattled off the top of the crossbar and flew into the stands.
A chaotic final few minutes saw multiple yellow cards handed out as the Uruguayan players did everything they could to find an equaliser.
It was Uruguay who ultimately paid the price for their increased aggression, midfielder Agustin Canobbio receiving a straight red at the start of added time.
Spain were able to close out the result from there, with Uruguay’s loss propelling Cape Verde into the history books as the smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup knockout phase following their own 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
Both results were positive for Scotland who are clinging on to their place in this World Cup by their fingernails. With Steve Clarke’s men only managing three points from the group stage, as well as a goal difference of -3, they are reliant on other teams to send them through.
Uruguay’s defeat to Spain means they finish lower than Scotland as a third-place finisher and Iran will do the same if they are beaten by Egypt in Group G’s finale match. That would leave Scotland’s fate to be decided on Saturday evening when the last of the group stage fixtures take place.
