Uruguay 0-1 Spain Half-Time Thoughts: Muslera Mistake Sees Uruguay On The Verge Of Elimination

It has been a tight but entertaining first half in Jalisco, but it is Spain who go into the break ahead.

Uruguay have had good moments so far but have failed to have a shot on target. Darwin Nunez has struggled against Pau Cubarsi but Maximiliano Araujo has been a bright spark again.

Spain have been the better team, controlling possession and defending comfortably. Their press has been good but they have also not had many chances against a strong Uruguay defence. 

Lamine Yamal has not had as big of an impact as he would have hoped to in the first 45 minutes, but Uruguay have set up to stop him by giving him no time or space with the ball. The main area where Spain have looked most dominant is in midfield, with Pedri, Rodri and Mikel Merino overpowering La Celeste.

Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off just after Alex Baena opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. An error from Fernando Muslera saw the ball roll into the bottom left-hand corner. Just seconds before, a coming together between Uruguay players after good skill from Pedri left Ugarte in discomfort on the floor.

Spain saw out their lead for the rest of the half, which means as it stands, they sit top of the group on seven points. Cape Verde are second as their match against Saudi Arabia is still 0-0, which means Uruguay are on the verge of being eliminated in the group stage.

Uruguay need a goal at least to keep their hopes alive so the second half promises to be interesting.