GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) 鈥� Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 after another goalkeeping mistake by Fernando Muslera, advancing to the knockout stage of the and eliminating the South American powerhouse on Friday.
Uruguay, a two-time champion, will go home without any victories in its three Group H games. Spain, the European champion, won the group with seven points and will face the second-place team from Group J 鈥� either Austria or Algeria 鈥� on Thursday in Inglewood, California.
脕lex Baena scored in the 42nd minute after from inside the area. It was the third blunder of the tournament by the 40-year-old Muslera, at halftime. Sergio Rochet came in to start the second half.
鈥淗e is the one who decided to leave,鈥� Bielsa said.
The veteran Argentine coach said he feels like Uruguay deserved better luck considering its performances, and should have earned seven points instead of two from its group matches. But he took full responsibility for the team’s failure.
鈥淣o one wants to listen to explanations now,鈥� Bielsa said. 鈥淭he blame is on me, I鈥檓 the one responsible for the disappointing work that I did. I had a group of quality players.鈥�
At 19th in the FIFA rankings, Uruguay is the highest-ranked team to be eliminated so far.
鈥淓very match is different and you have to win every type of match,鈥� Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. 鈥淭his was a game with maximum difficulty.鈥�
De la Fuente said midfielder Y茅remy Pino likely suffered a broken collarbone that would sideline him for the rest of the tournament. Pino, who entered the match in the 66th minute, stayed on until the end despite the injury because Spain had already made all five substitutions.
Cape Verde, which in the other group game on Friday, finished second in the group with three points, one more than both Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Uruguay finished third but without enough points to be among the best eight third-place teams that will advance.
A few Uruguay players cried on the field after the final whistle. Many fans booed the team as it left.
The match was one of the most anticipated of the group stage, but it featured few significant scoring chances by either team.
鈥淚’m very proud of all the work that we have done,鈥� Baena said. 鈥淲e competed very well.鈥�
Uruguay players loudly advocated for a penalty in the final minutes after Federico Vi帽as went down inside the area.
There was some tension near the end. Uruguay鈥檚 Agust铆n Canobbio was sent off in stoppage time for a tackle on Spain defender Paul Cubarsi. His teammates had to escort him off the field, and after the final whistle he returned to try to talk to the referee.
Uruguay, the World Cup winner in 1930 and 1950, came into the final group match in turmoil after draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. Uruguayan media said there were reports of players not being happy with Bielsa.
Spain, seeking its second World Cup title, opened with a shocking 0-0 draw against Cape Verde but was coming off a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. La Roja haven鈥檛 made it past the round of 16 since winning their lone title in 2010.
Spain striker Lamine Yamal, who entered the tournament nursing a left hamstring injury, had a lackluster outing and again didn鈥檛 play the entire match, being replaced by Ferran Torres in the 76th minute. The 18-year-old Yamal was replaced at halftime against Saudi Arabia and came off the bench in the second half against Cape Verde.
Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte had to replaced because of an apparent knee injury near the end of the first half. He was on the ground seeking medical assistance when Spain opened the scoring, and was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher.
King Felipe VI of Spain was among the crowd of 45,065 at Estadio Akron.
A moment of silence was observed before the match in memory of when back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela late Wednesday.
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Associated Press writer Maria Verza contributed to this report.
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