Uruguay out of WC after GK blunder against Spain

June 27, 2026 No Comments

Uruguay out of World Cup after keeper blunder against SpainplayMoreno: Spain look nothing like the team that won the Euros (1:56)Cesar HernandezJun 26, 2026, 09:30 PM ETMultiple Authors

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera came off at halftime of their World Cup group stage finale after his blunder in the first half gifted Spain the lead at Estadio Akron on Friday, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side was eliminated.

Muslera went down and to his right to stop Álex Baena’s shot in the 42nd minute, but despite getting both hands on the ball, he managed to only swat it into his own net to send Spain into the break trailing by one goal.

OH NO MUSLERA 🤯

SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/0ja5diIJr8

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 27, 2026

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa reported after the game that Muslera asked to come off at the break and he was replaced with Sergio Rochet.

“No, I didn’t take [the decision],” Bielsa reported after the game. “It’s a decision Muslera took himself.”

Uruguay tried to claw back into the game in a physical second half, but their World Cup campaign ended with their 1-0 loss. They finished with just two points in three games. Spain advance as group winners, and Cape Verde, who drew 2-2 with Uruguay, finish in second to advance.

Heading into the match, Muslera had allowed three goals in Uruguay’s first two group stage matches — both draws. After his costly error, he was substituted in a World Cup match for the first time in his career.

Early in the second half, Bielsa also substituted Real Madrid star Federico Valverde, who was visibly upset as he made his way to the bench. Before the end of the match, Agustín Canobbio received a red card for a studs-up challenge.

Muslera’s early exit will add more fuel to the argument about whether he should continue to have a role with the national team after being a mainstay for many years. Muslera first made his World Cup debut in 2010.

It’s a disappointing finish for Bielsa and Uruguay, who won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950 but have now missed out on the knockout rounds in two successive tournaments.

Information from ESPN Global Research was used in this report.