Spain's victory hides a worrying offensive deficit

Spain had the ball but lacked finishing. They dominated 67% of the match but only managed one more shot than Uruguay: 6 to 5. This sterile dominance is the true face of the match; although Luis de la Fuente's team had possession, they failed to translate it into real danger in front of the opponent's goal.

The difference in effectiveness is reflected in the expected goals: Spain generated 0.86 xG, while Uruguay barely reached 0.20. This data highlights that, despite having the ball, the Iberian team did not know how to trouble their opponent.

Aymeric Laporte stood out as the most influential player on the field. His rating of 7.9 is not only a testament to his defensive solidity but also highlights his ability to generate play, with a key pass that contributed to the build-up of the goal.

Although he didn't score, his presence was fundamental, and one could argue that he was the true game-changer of the match, beyond Alex Baena's lone goal.

The red card to A. Canobbio in the 90+5' minute was a blow to Uruguay that conditioned their last moments in the match. With one less player, the Charrúa team was forced to retreat even further, which facilitated Spain's control in the closing stages.

This incident not only altered the dynamics of the match's end but also left Uruguay with many questions about their ability to compete in the group, where they were already in a complicated position.

Despite the offensive doubts, Spain showed solid defense by keeping their goal intact. Unai Simón made two key saves that helped preserve the victory and ultimately proved crucial in maintaining the result.

This defensive aspect is a plus for Spain, especially considering that the World Cup is a competition where a balance between attack and defense is needed. A clean sheet can be a relief, but the challenge will be how to improve in the offensive phase in upcoming matches.