Uruguay is now Spain's everything after Argentina win the group

Argentina win the group, and now Uruguay mean everything

Argentina closed out Group A in first place on Monday (1). That means the runner-up in Spain's group faces the reigning South American champions in the last 16. If Spain beat Uruguay, you win the group and dodge Argentina. A draw may be enough, a loss sends you straight into them. Everything rests on the Uruguay result.

Uruguay are not coming to make friends

A former Uruguay striker did not hold back ahead of the Spain match. "¿Ganar a España? Los uruguayos estamos acostumbrados a situaciones límite," he said, meaning Uruguayans are used to extreme situations (2). The quote is everywhere in the Spanish press. The subtext is clear: Uruguay believe they can drag your team into a knife fight.

Storm cuts Spain's training short

Spain's session was interrupted by a storm alert during World Cup preparations, the same weather system that delayed France's match earlier (4). Not ideal, but nothing suggests any player was hurt. More an annoyance than a disruption.

Rodri and Unai are writing clean-sheet history

Rodri captained Spain to a 4–0 win over Saudi Arabia, and Unai kept yet another clean sheet (5) (6). That is three World Cup shutouts in a row for Spain, a feat only matched by the 2010 team in South Africa. Unai is now one clean sheet from tying the all-time record for Spain at a single World Cup.

Marmoush won his own duel

Omar Marmoush, Rodri's club teammate at Manchester City, scored for Egypt in their own World Cup win the same day Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4–0 (6). A good day for the City midfield.