Fernando Muslera’s calamitous error handed Spain a 1-0 victory over Uruguay at Guadalajara Stadium knocking the two-time world champions out of the 2026 tournament, Yankee Scores reports.
Alex Baena made it 1-0 in the 42nd minute as Muslera failed to clear his effort from within the penalty box. The veteran goalkeeper dived to his right to try and keep the effort out, only succeeded in swatting it into his own net.
SPAIN WIN GROUP H AFTER DEFEATING URUGUAY🔥 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/zILZHkLS0A
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2026
It was a gut punch moment, one that would ultimately prove deadly to Uruguay‘s tournament chances.
This wasn’t Muslera’s first mistake in this World Cup. He had also given up a brace to Cape Verde in a 2-2 draw, the first coming when his wall was split on a free kick.
It became impossible to avoid the attention that had accompanied him into this fixture and at the interval Bielsa replaced him with Sergio Rochet.
Fernando Muslera at the World Cup:
▫️ Spilled a header vs. Saudi Arabia, rebound was scored
▫️ Beaten by long-range free kick opener vs. Cabo Verde
▫️ Marooned off his line for the 2nd goal vs. Cabo Verde
▫️ Fumbled Alex Baena’s shot vs. Spain, substituted at half time— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 27, 2026
After the game, Bielsa said it was Muslera’s decision to come off, Per ESPN
Uruguay pressed for an equaliser in a combative second half but never really troubled Unai Simon’s goal. Agustin Canobbio was sent off in the dying seconds of stoppage time to complete a terrible night for La Celeste.
European champions Spain lead Group H with seven points and will meet the runners-up in Group J, either Austria or Algeria, in the Round of 32 in Inglewood, California.
Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950 but have now failed to reach the knockout stages in two successive tournaments – a scathing assessment of where this golden generation has ended up.
Bielsa’s future becomes more and more unlikely.
