📅 2026 World Cup Fixture: Group H · Sunday, June 21, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Spain vs Uruguay is one of those slow-burn international rivalries: they don't meet often, but when they do, the football is high-quality and the stakes always feel bigger than a friendly. Their 2026 World Cup Group H meeting at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 21 will be the first competitive meeting between the two in over a decade.

Spain enter as one of the joint tournament favorites, fresh off their Euro 2024 triumph. Uruguay, under Marcelo Bielsa, are unpredictable, dangerous, and capable of any result on any night.

All-Time Head-to-Head Record

Spain lead the all-time head-to-head between Spain and Uruguay, who have met 5 times at senior international level since 1950.

5 Meetings

3 Spain wins

2 Draws

0 Uruguay wins

 

Stat	Spain	Uruguay
Total wins	3	0
Goals scored	9	4
Goals per match	1.80	0.80
Win rate	60%	0%

Last meetings between Spain and Uruguay

Date	Competition	Home	Away	Score
Feb 16, 2011	Friendly	Spain	Uruguay	3-1
Mar 3, 2010	Friendly	Spain	Uruguay	1-1
Mar 28, 1990	Friendly	Spain	Uruguay	2-1
Jun 13, 1990	World Cup Group	Spain	Uruguay	0-0
Jul 2, 1950	World Cup Final Round	Uruguay	Spain	2-2

Biggest wins for each side

Spain's biggest result

Spain 3–1 Uruguay, International Friendly, February 16, 2011, Doha — A David Villa-led Spain demonstrated the depth of their tiki-taka era with three different scorers.

Uruguay's biggest result

Uruguay's strongest result against Spain in the modern era is a 1-1 friendly draw in 2010, where La Celeste pushed the World Cup champions deep into stoppage time.

The most famous match

1990 World Cup Group Stage — Spain 0-0 Uruguay in Udine. A grinding draw between two cautious sides that helped both progress from a tight group. It remains the most recent World Cup meeting between the two.

Top scorer in the rivalry

David Villa is the leading goalscorer for Spain in this fixture. Uruguay's all-time top scorer Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani never faced Spain in a competitive senior international.

2026 World Cup Preview

Key players: Spain

Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri, Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo. Spain enter the World Cup as defending European champions and one of the joint tournament favorites.

Key players: Uruguay

Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez, Ronald Araújo, Manuel Ugarte, Maximiliano Araújo, Facundo Pellistri. Marcelo Bielsa's high-pressing, attack-minded system makes Uruguay a dangerous opponent.

Match prediction

Spain's possession and Uruguay's directness will produce an open, watchable match. Spain are favorites, but Uruguay can absolutely steal a point. Spain 2-1 prediction.

How the 2026 World Cup match actually went

Spain won 1-0 to clinch top spot in Group H — Alex Baena's 42nd-minute strike, helped by a goalkeeping error from Fernando Muslera, proved decisive. Uruguay, who also had a player sent off late on, went home without a single win in three group games, one of the tournament's biggest shocks, as debutants Cape Verde advanced in second place instead.

For the official record, see FIFA's Uruguay v Spain match report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score when Spain played Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup?

Spain won 1-0, with Alex Baena scoring the only goal. The result confirmed Uruguay's elimination without a win in the group stage, while Spain topped Group H on their way to winning the tournament.

What is the all-time head-to-head record between Spain and Uruguay?

Spain lead the modern head-to-head record with 3 wins to Uruguay's 0, with 2 draws across 5 senior meetings since 1950. Spain have outscored Uruguay 9-4 in those matches. Uruguay have never beaten Spain in a senior international.

When did Spain last play Uruguay?

Spain's most recent meeting with Uruguay was a 3-1 friendly win on February 16, 2011, in Doha. The two nations have not played each other in over a decade.

Have Spain and Uruguay played at the World Cup?

Yes. Spain and Uruguay met at the 1950 World Cup (a 2-2 draw) and the 1990 World Cup (0-0 in the group stage). The 2026 Group H meeting will be their third-ever World Cup encounter.

Has Uruguay ever beaten Spain?

Not in the modern era. In 5 documented meetings since 1950, Uruguay have failed to win — losing 3 and drawing 2. Both World Cup meetings between the two nations ended in draws.

Who is Spain's coach for the 2026 World Cup?

Luis de la Fuente is Spain's head coach for the 2026 World Cup. He took over in December 2022 and led Spain to the Euro 2024 title with an unbeaten run, including a 2-1 final win over England.

 See Also: Portugal vs Colombia Head to Head: First Competitive Meeting Ever

Last updated August 3, 2026, with the final World Cup 2026 result.