Spain take on Uruguay knowing a draw would see them through as Group H winners and set up a potential round-of-32 tie with Austria or Algeria.
The Euro 2024 winners started their tournament off with a shock 0-0 draw with debutants Cape Verde, who owed their clean sheet to 40-year-old ‘keeper Vozinha.
Next up was Saudi Arabia, who La Roja turned the style on against in a 4-0 victory. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Lamine Yamal opened the scoring on his first tournament start.
Now, they know a win or draw against two-time champions Uruguay would seal their spot as group winners, where they would face the runners-up in Argentina’s group, either Austria or Algeria (who play each other on Sunday) on Tuesday, July 7 in Los Angeles.
Lose, and Spain may have to play Lionel Messi & co on July 7 on the 39-year-old’s home patch, Miami.
So, who will Luis de la Fuente pick to start this important clash?
Spain boss de la Fuente prefers a 4-3-3 formation, his only real changes being whether one of the midfield trio occupies a more advanced role.
Yamal is a guaranteed starter on the right-wing as he looks to rebuild his fitness. A groin injury late in the season disrupted his preparations, so he could only feature from the bench against Cape Verde.
And against the Saudis, with Spain 3-0, Yamal was taken off at half-time. So, a start here and more minutes in the 18-year-old’s legs is vital.
Oyarzabal, after a poor first game against Cape Verde, was electric in the second. His two goals and assist proved his centrality to the team’s form.
He, too, was subbed off during the interval. Expect him, too, to start again up front.
Winger Nico Williams is yet to start at this tournament, arriving off the bench twice. Like Yamal, his late-season injury concerns have limited him to this substitute role, but this game may be when de la Fuente unleashes the 19-year-old. If not, Alex Baena will keep his place on the left-wing.
Spain’s midfield of Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo was bright and sparky. That was down to Olmo’s introduction, who was on the bench for their opener. His verve in attack is a welcome antidote to the often prosaic play of Rodi and Pedri.
Olmo and Marc Cucurella combined for Oyarzabal’s second goal, and the new Real Madrid left-back has been Spain’s only consistent performer in the first two games. He is positive, direct, and dovetails well with whoever he is paired with in attack,
Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro started the Saudi Arabia game, replacing Marcos Llorente, and the Spurs man was a positive force, although not as effective as the man on his opposite flank.
Aymeric Laporte and 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi are nailed-on starters at centre-back, with the pair yet to concede a goal as a defensive pairing. The same applies to Unai Simon in goal, who David Raya must play second fiddle to.
Their only injury doubt is new Liverpool man and left-winger Victor Munoz.
Spain predicted XI vs Uruguay (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Laporte, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena
Injured: Munoz
Time and date: 1am BST on Saturday, June 27, 2026
How to watch: ITV
Venue: Guadalajara Stadium
