27/06/2026 16:27 - Deportes
Uruguay's national team, known as "La Celeste" (The Sky Blue), was eliminated from the World Cup 2026 after losing 1-0 to Spain in Guadalajara, Mexico. The match was decided by a critical error from veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, which allowed Álex Baena to score in the 41st minute of the first half.
For context, Muslera is a legendary figure in Uruguayan football with over 130 international caps. The 38-year-old goalkeeper has been a cornerstone of the national team for more than a decade, making this mistake particularly painful for Uruguayan fans.
Spain's goal came after Muslera mishandled the ball during a routine clearance attempt. The ball fell directly to Baena, who had an empty net to score what would become the tournament-deciding goal for Uruguay.
Making matters worse, De Rossi Canobbio was sent off in the second half with a red card, leaving Uruguay with 10 men and destroying any realistic chance of a comeback.
"I didn't have a good World Cup and I take full responsibility. I asked not to continue because I wasn't in the right condition to help the team," Muslera told reporters, visibly emotional during the press conference.
The goalkeeper requested to be substituted at halftime, leading coach Marcelo Bielsa to bring on Sergio Rochet for the second half. This unprecedented move showed Muslera's character and concern for the team above his own pride.
Uruguay finished third with only 2 points from three draws, failing to win a single match. Spain dominated the group with 7 points, while Cape Verde surprised everyone by finishing second.
| Position | Team | Points | Goal Diff. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Spain | 7 | +6 | Qualified |
| 2nd | Cape Verde | 3 | 0 | Qualified |
| 3rd | Uruguay | 2 | -1 | Eliminated |
| 4th | Saudi Arabia | 2 | -1 | Eliminated |
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa, the renowned Argentine tactician known for his intense attacking style of play, did not shy away from blame. He described the campaign as "insufficient" and admitted the team had projected 7 points but managed only 2 points without a single victory.
"I take full responsibility for what happened. We didn't play as we expected, and that has to do with decisions I made," Bielsa stated during the press conference.
As tournament hosts and reigning World Cup champions, Argentina has already secured their Round of 16 opponent. They will face Cape Verde on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 19:00 local time at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Argentina finished first in Group J with 6 points and a +5 goal difference, while Cape Verde's surprising second-place finish in Group H sets up an intriguing matchup in the knockout stage.
Spain, as Group H winners with 7 points, will face the runner-up from their corresponding group in the Round of 16.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Matches are being played across multiple cities including Guadalajara (Mexico), where this crucial Group H match took place on June 26, 2026.
This is the first World Cup featuring 48 teams, with the tournament format including a group stage of 12 groups of 4 teams each, followed by a 32-team knockout round.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
