Unbeaten Spain ready for whatever Uruguay throw at them, Aymeric Laporte says

CHATTANOOGA – Spain have gone 33 matches unbeaten over 90 minutes and faced opponents of every kind along the way, which is why defender Aymeric Laporte is not losing sleep over what Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay might bring to their World Cup Group H clash on June 26.

The centre-back said Spain’s focus must remain on themselves as they prepare to face a Uruguay side playing for everything in a game in which the Spaniards have the edge.

The European champions lead with four points, two ahead of Uruguay and Cape Verde, with Saudi Arabia bottom on one – meaning any of the four teams can still qualify for the next stage.

“We’ve gone 33 matches without losing, teams have played us in every possible way,” Laporte told reporters at Spain’s training camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 24. “It depends a lot on us, on how we’re playing. If we’re on form, it’s very difficult to beat us.”

The only blemish on La Roja’s record is a penalty shoot-out defeat by Portugal in the Nations League final last June.

Laporte also said Spain understood that Uruguay would throw everything at them.

“We’re well aware they’ll be going all out, just as we would if we were in their position,” he added. “But it’s down to us; we know what we have to do. We’ll both be going all out.”

La Roja were criticised after a below-par display in a goal-less draw against Cape Verde, and Laporte said the players shared that frustration.

“We weren’t happy internally either,” he said. “We’re the ones most keen to win, especially against a team that was supposed to be weaker – or is weaker. But anyway, it’s understandable. We get frustrated too when things don’t go our way.”

Spain’s second match, a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia, was much closer to their true level.

“What we saw in the second match is more representative of us,” Laporte said. “But in the first one we had possession and lacked the goal.”

Coach Luis de la Fuente, meanwhile, also said it was “crazy” to question a Spain team who last lost over 90 minutes in March 2024, and the Saudi victory restored the sharpness missing in the opener.

Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, have two points after drawing 1-1 with Saudi Arabia and 2-2 with Cape Verde.

They have created enough chances to suggest they should be in a stronger position, but defensive errors and missed opportunities have left them needing a sharp response against Spain in Guadalajara.

Meanwhile in the other group match, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde will both seek a win to earn a place in the last 32, with the latter hoping to continue their run as one of the stories of the tournament.

The African side are making their World Cup debut but have earned praise for their battling draw with Spain and a more evenly contested result against Uruguay, where they showcased their never-say-die spirit.

The Saudis, however, will fancy their chances against an inexperienced team and hope the Cape Verdeans run out of steam in humid Houston. REUTERS