Under the electric atmosphere of Estadio Akron in Zapopan — a venue that felt like a home away from home for the Uruguayan diaspora in Mexico — Spain delivered a composed, technically superior performance to claim all three points in Group H, though Uruguay made them work every minute for it.

**First Half — Spain's Craft Breaks the Lock (18')** Uruguay set up in a disciplined 4-4-2 low block, clearly wary of Spain's fluid attacking movement. Marcelo Bielsa's men surrendered possession willingly, looking to hit on the counter through the pace of Darwin Núñez and Facundo Pellistri. For the first quarter-hour, the plan held. Spain probed patiently — Rodri sweeping the ball left and right from deep, Pedri drifting into pockets, Fabián Ruiz arriving late into the box — but Uruguay's defensive lines were compact and resolute.

The deadlock broke on 18 minutes through a moment of pure teenage brilliance. Nico Williams collected a short pass from Grimaldo on the left, drove inside, and slid a perfectly weighted through ball into the channel for Lamine Yamal, who had ghosted behind Mathías Olivera. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger took one touch to control and curled a low finish across Sergio Rochet into the far corner — a goal of stunning composure. Estadio Akron fell briefly silent before the Spanish fans erupted.

Uruguay grew into the half after the setback. Rodrigo Bentancur — despite picking up a yellow card on 38 minutes for a cynical foul on Pedri — was Uruguay's best midfielder, winning second balls and driving forward. De Arrascaeta flickered with creativity but found Spain's midfield press suffocating. Half-time: 0-1.

**Second Half — Núñez Levels, Olmo Wins It (54', 76')** Uruguay emerged from the dressing room transformed. Bielsa's halftime adjustments pushed Valverde higher and asked Pellistri to press Laporte aggressively. The equaliser arrived on 54 minutes: Valverde won a header from a long goal kick, flicked it on, and Darwin Núñez — showing the physical dominance that has defined his career — rose above Pau Cubarsí to power a header into the top corner. Rochet sprinted the length of the pitch in celebration; the Uruguayan end was delirious.

Spain's response was methodical. Luis de la Fuente brought on Mikel Merino at half-time for extra physicality, and the Arsenal midfielder had already picked up a yellow card (52') before being replaced by Martín Zubimendi on 65 minutes. Pedri was the conductor — his 76th-minute assist was a masterpiece. Receiving from Rodri just outside the area, he turned Bentancur with a Cruyff turn, looked up, and threaded a first-time pass through the eye of a needle to Dani Olmo, who had peeled off Giménez's shoulder. Olmo took one touch and slotted calmly past Rochet. 2-1 Spain.

Uruguay threw bodies forward in the final 15 minutes. Rodrigo Aguirre came on for Pellistri, and Brian Rodríguez replaced De la Cruz — who had been booked on 83 minutes for a late challenge on Grimaldo. But Spain's backline, marshalled brilliantly by the composed Cubarsí, held firm. Unai Simón was barely tested in the closing stages as Spain saw the game out with characteristic intelligence.

**Verdict:** A statement win for Spain, who top Group H with maximum points. Their tiki-taka evolution — now sharper, more vertical, and with devastating wide threats in Yamal and Williams — looks ominous for the rest of the tournament. Uruguay, without the suspended Manuel Ugarte to shield the backline, showed heart and quality but were ultimately outclassed by the European champions. They remain in contention for the Round of 16 but must regroup.