In a high stakes game between Uruguay and Spain, both sides were looking for a win to guarantee their passage from the group without relying on the scoreline of the other game. 

Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia came into this one with a chance of escaping the group too, should they be able to find a win, with Cape Verde in the stronger position with 2 points, and Saudi Arabia on 1 coming into the match. 

History was in the making.

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Uruguay 0 - 1 Spain

Both sides went into this one knowing a simple win would get them out of the group.

Spain spent most of the opening stages controlling possession but also repeatedly trying to feed the skillful Lamine Yamal, a sensible strategy given the star man’s ability as a gamechanger. But every time he approached, Uruguay had three or four players on him, hemming him in and limiting his options.

After the first hydration break, momentum subtly shifted. Uruguay continued to probe and at times looked more likely to score. The pace of Nunez caused some problems on the right, but he found himself slightly isolated at times and lacking options in the centre. A few balls flashed across the edge of the box and darting runs from Araújo also caused problems without really testing the Spanish goalkeeper. 

It was Spain who ended up getting ahead after a howler from Muslera in the Uruguay goal. Alex Baena connected with a cross, took a touch and hit it on the swivel, somehow squirming through the grasp of Muslera, misdirected into the net. It went from bad to worse for Uruguay as Ugarte crashed into a teammate in the build up and had to be subbed with an injury.

At half time, Bilesa made the bold call to substitute goalkeeper Muslera for Rochet after his earlier costly mistake. Not exactly the supportive arm around the shoulder. 

Uruguay seemed to switch to a very typical Bielsa man-to-man system in the second half, and disrupted Spain with a succession of tough challenges leading to a couple of unneccessary yellow cards. 

Olmo had an excellent chance to settle it for Spain in the 62nd minute, slicing over from a fantastic low cross from Yamal, who had jinked into the box. 

Nunez looked the most likely to make something happen for Uruguay in the closing stages, and a long range strike from De La Cruz tested Unai Simon in the Spanish goal, before Spain went up the other end and Ferran Torres smashed a shot off the bar. 

A late scramble in the Spanish box had both sides appealing for a foul, with the free kick going Spain’s way. Tempers flared late in the game as frustration boiled over for Uruguay, with a poor challenge on Williams from De La Cruz yielding a yellow card.

A horrible studs up challenge from Canobbio soon after triggered a straight red, causing pandemonium on the touchline and requiring teammates and coaching staff to restrain him after being asked to leave the field of play.

But that was it. No further chances. Uruguay lose, Uruguay are out. A hugely disappointing World Cup for them. Spain top the group. 

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Cape Verde 0 - 0 Saudi Arabia

Cape Verde, history-makers.

A win for either of these teams could have put them in contention to enter the Round of 32, with a draw being enough for Cape Verde potentially sending Cape Verde second if Uruguay lost.

But while a win seemed the obvious bonus objective, in the first half hour of this game, both teams registered a total of 0.08 xG. 

As HT approached, Saudi Arabia probably had the best chance of the game, with Mohammed Kanno’s header saved by Cape Verde’s talismanic Vozinha.

Shortly after the break, Cape Verde had their best phase of play yet, with a decent attack and cross into Monteiro that just lacked the finish, his shot straight at Mohammed Al-Owais in the Saudi Arabia goal. 

Late in the game, Cape Verde had a golden chance to win it. Wagner Pina found himself free in the area, but a desperate last ditch block from Saudi Arabia prevented the goal.

Remarkably, with three very creditable draws, Cape Verde finished second in the group and automatically qualify for the Round of 32. What an incredible, amazing achievement for the second-smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup. 

Saudi Arabia exit the competition. 

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Final table: