[Official] South Korea in extreme tension as the first team to be eliminated from third place in its group emerges... Uruguay faces its first elimination

*This content was translated by AI.

The first team to be eliminated among those finishing third in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North, Central America and Caribbean Qualifiers has emerged. The Hong Myung-bo-led team, still awaiting results from other third-placed groups, is now in an extremely tense situation.

Uruguay, ranked 16th in the FIFA rankings, lost 0-1 to Spain (second place) in the final group stage match of the tournament held on the 27th (Korea time) at the Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.

Uruguay suffered an unfortunate goal in the 42nd minute of the first half when a long-range shot by Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid) struck goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes) and went straight into the net. The team was unable to overcome this setback.

With this defeat, Uruguay finished the group stage with two draws and one loss. They had previously drawn with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before losing to Spain. Uruguay's standing in Group H is third, behind Spain (7 points) and Cape Verde (3 points).

With only 2 points (goal difference -1) in the group stage, Uruguay failed to secure a spot in the Round of 32, which is awarded to the top eight third-placed teams among the 12th groups. Although four groups still have their final matches remaining, no matter the results in those four groups, Uruguay cannot finish within the top eight among third-placed teams. This makes Uruguay the first team to be eliminated among third-placed teams in this tournament.

Conversely, Paraguay has secured a spot in the Round of 32 among teams that finished third in the group stage. This is their fourth such qualification, following Sweden, Ecuador, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are now only four Round of 32 spots left for third-placed teams, while three teams must return home.

With the first elimination among third-placed teams confirmed, the Hong Myung-bo-led team, currently with 3 points (goal difference -1), is also in a state of "extreme tension." Fortunately, thanks to Uruguay's defeat, they have overtaken Scotland (3 points, goal difference -3), but they still need to surpass two more teams to reach the Round of 32. The chances are not high. Football statistics firm Opta predicted South Korea's probability of reaching the Round of 32 at 48.92% immediately after Uruguay's defeat, meaning it is still below 50%.

South Korea's fate in reaching the Round of 32 will be confirmed on the 28th, when the final group stage matches are held. On the 27th, only the final Group G match remains, while on the 28th, the final matches for Groups L, K, and J will take place in that order. During this process, if two third-placed teams with better records than South Korea emerge first, or if two third-placed teams with worse records emerge, South Korea's fate in the 2026 World Cup North, Central America and Caribbean Qualifiers Round of 32 will be decided.

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*This content was translated by AI.