Spain sweats over key stars' fitness ahead of crucial knockout stage

Spain secured top spot in Group H and a place in the Round of 32 with victory over Uruguay, but the win came at a heavy cost as winger Yeremy Pino faces a likely tournament-ending injury and Nico Williams picked up a fresh fitness scare.

Pino sustained a shoulder injury late in the match and was forced to play on after Spain had used all their substitutions. Initial assessments point to a serious problem that could end his World Cup prematurely.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente did not hide his concern after the final whistle. "I'm very worried about Yeremy Pino. It looks like a serious injury, and we may not have him again in this World Cup," he said.

Nico Williams, only recently back from injury, came off the bench for the final 15 minutes but later reported muscle discomfort — raising fears his previous problem may have resurfaced. De la Fuente was more optimistic about the Atletico winger, saying it could simply be fatigue or tightness, adding that the injury "doesn't appear to be serious."

The twin scares have laid bare a deepening injury crisis in Spain's forward line. Lamine Yamal has been unable to complete a full 90 minutes for the past two months due to a hamstring issue, while Víctor Muñoz is yet to play a single minute at this tournament after picking up a muscle injury before it began.

De la Fuente did offer praise for his players' mental strength against a Uruguay side that tested them physically and temperamentally throughout.

"It was a difficult test, both physically and mentally. Our opponents tried to provoke us repeatedly, but my players kept their composure," he said.

As Group H winners, Spain now travel to Los Angeles for their Round of 32 tie, where they are set to face either Austria or Algeria — with their attacking depth a growing question mark heading into the knockouts.