Madrid World Cup Spotlight: Marc Cucurella and Spain scrape past the finish line against Uruguay

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has almost come to an end, with just three groups left to be decided.

Last night, France faced Norway in what was billed as one of the clashes of the group stage and a battle between Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

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However, Norway rotated their entire team and fielded a much-changed outfit, handing France the onus to finish first in the group.

Les Bleus emerged victorious 4-1 on the night, with a hat-trick from Ousmane Dembele and a late goal from Desire Doue.

Spain were in action next against Uruguay in a game that resembled a wrestling bout more than it did a football match.

The South Americans resorted to extreme antics to prevent La Roja from playing their brand of football, and it was a very intense game that ended 1-0 in favour of Spain.

Belgium finally turned up at the 2026 World Cup with a 5-1 win over New Zealand and managed to top the group despite being unconvincing for much of the tournament so far.

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For Madrid, the players in action were Mbappe, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, Fede Valverde and Thibaut Courtois, and let us see how they fared.

Kylian Mbappe vs Norway

Mbappe was decisive in France's win. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate were involved as France beat Norway 4-1 to top Group I.

Mbappe did not score this time, but he still left his mark. He assisted Dembele's first two goals on the night, both excellent passes.

Mbappe did not need to be the finisher to shape the match. His movement, timing and final pass gave France the platform to turn the game into a statement win.

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Los Blancos' star man also had a few attempts of his own that were either blocked or saved by the goalkeeper.

He may not have been able to add to his goal tally and move past Klose, but it was still a brilliant performance from Mbappe, and he will hope to carry this form into the knockouts.

Aurelien Tchouameni vs Norway

Aurelien Tchouameni also deserves a proper mention, because his return gave France exactly the kind of midfield stability France were craving for.

The Real Madrid star missed France's previous game through injury and his return and partnership with Manu Kone saw Les Bleus benefit a lot against Norway.

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His assist for Dembele's third goal showed the best version of him: quick decision-making, clean execution and the ability to turn control into progression.

Tchouameni is sometimes judged too narrowly as just a defensive midfielder, but he also has a final pass in him when the situation demands it and that was visible last night.

Ibrahima Konate vs Norway

It came as something of a surprise to see Lacroix preferred to Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order for France in central defence.

Once Les Bleus decided to rest William Saliba last night, everyone would have expected the brand-new Madrid signing to take to the pitch.

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However, the Crystal Palace man was preferred, and Konate only came on in the closing stages to give Dayot Upamecano a breather.

He made his first appearance at the tournament off the bench, and there was not much to judge from his performance.

Marc Cucurella vs Uruguay

Cucurella had a difficult outing. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Spain-Uruguay game was much tighter. Cucurella played the full 90 minutes as Spain won 1-0 through Alex Baena's first-half goal, topping the group and sending Uruguay home.

Cucurella's display was not flashy, but it was controlled. He defended solidly, kept his side of the pitch stable and helped Spain manage a difficult, physical game without losing their structure.

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There were a couple of instances where he showed immense defensive acumen to win the ball back and start an attack for Spain, but nothing came of them.

He was relatively quiet going forward by his own lofty standards, but in a game as cagey as this, that was expected.

Fede Valverde vs Spain

Valverde's tournament, meanwhile, ended in frustration.

Uruguay were eliminated without a win, and the Madrid midfielder was surprisingly substituted in the 56th minute despite being one of their most important players.

Valverde's evening was very frustrating. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

His reaction summed up almost all of Uruguay's frustration last night, and it did feel like a game in which the dressing room was not as united as it should have been.

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Taking off Valverde when your team are chasing a goal is never a great decision, and it did not prove to be one last night either.

Thibaut Courtois vs New Zealand

Courtois had the easiest night of the group.

Belgium finally found their attacking rhythm against New Zealand, winning 5-1, with Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku leading the damage.

He may have conceded a goal, but there is no doubt that the Madrid shot-stopper continues to be pivotal to his nation's chances at this tournament.

For Madrid, the takeaway was mixed but mostly positive. Mbappe created, Cucurella was solid, Courtois kept things simple, Konate got minutes and Valverde leaves the tournament with disappointment rather than blame.

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