Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 to win the World Cup group stage, as Muslera’s mistake sent the two-time champions home.
Published June 27, 2026
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s roar gave Spain a 1-0 victory, securing Uruguay’s top spot in Group H and eliminating them from the World Cup.
Alex Baena’s weak shot slipped through Muslera’s hands for the only goal, and Spain avoided a showdown with Argentina in the last 32.
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The European champions will instead face either Austria or Algeria in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Uruguay’s defeat left debutant Cape Verde in second place thanks to a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, ensuring a matchup with Lionel Messi and the defending champions.
Two-time champions Uruguay ended a disastrous tournament for Marcelo Bielsa and his side with defeat, making them the top team to be eliminated in the group stage.
Following Cape Verde’s draw with Saudi Arabia, reports emerged of a revolt in Uruguay’s camp, and key players, including Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, clashed with Bielsa over tactics.
King Felipe of Spain was also in attendance, but the only meeting between two former World Cup winners in the group stage turned out to be a very disappointing match.
After La Roja got off to a poor start with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, starting XI Lamine Yamal revitalized Spain’s attack with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
However, Luis de la Fuente’s struggling performance in attack gives him a lot to think about before Sunday’s finals start.
Muslera, the hero of Uruguay’s semi-final run in 2010, scored Cape Verde’s two goals in a 2-2 draw.
And in Guadalajara, Spain barely threatened a Uruguay goal until the 40-year-old Baena dribbled over the line from Marcos Llorente’s cross in the 42nd minute.
To rub salt in the Uruguayan’s wounds, Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was injured in the build-up to goal and was carried away on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
Bielsa replaced Muslera with Sergio Roche at half-time, but the Uruguayan manager made an even bolder decision when Valverde was sent off with an hour remaining.
De la Fuente also returned to the bench, and the introduction of Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz finally injected life into Spain’s performance.
Olmo should have done better when he spooned a shot from Yamal’s rare brilliance to tee up his Barcelona teammate.
Yamal was substituted 15 minutes into the game as his club season was prematurely ended due to a hamstring injury, and his playing time continued to be monitored.
His replacement, Ferran Torres, should have doubled the lead with five minutes remaining, but the goalkeeper hit the bar and narrowly beat it.
Uruguay’s miserable tournament was summed up by Agustín Canobbio being shown a straight red card in stoppage time for a wild lunge on Pau Kvarsi.
Spain, touted as one of the favorites before the tournament, are currently unbeaten in 34 competitive games and have yet to concede a single goal in the World Cup.
However, in stark contrast to the brilliant attacking displays shown by the likes of France, Argentina and the Netherlands, La Roja are yet to produce convincing results in their quest for a second World Cup title.
