Spain wins World Cup group, beating Uruguay 1-0 as Muslera’s error sends two-time champions residence.
Printed On 27 Jun 2026
Uruguay bowed out of the World Cup as goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s howler gifted Spain a 1-0 win in Guadalajara to safe prime spot in Group H.
Alex Baena’s weak shot slipped by way of Muslera’s grasp for the one aim as Spain averted a final 32 showdown towards Argentina.
Really useful Tales
record of 4 gadgetsfinish of record
The European champions will as an alternative face Austria or Algeria subsequent in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Uruguay’s defeat allowed debutants Cape Verde to safe second place and a gathering with Lionel Messi and the defending champions, because of a 0-0 draw towards Saudi Arabia.
Two-time winners Uruguay turn out to be the highest-ranked aspect to crash out within the group phases because the defeat rounded off a depressing match for Marcelo Bielsa and his squad.
After attracts towards Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, stories of a revolt within the Uruguay camp emerged, with main gamers, together with Actual Madrid’s Federico Valverde, clashing with Bielsa over his ways.
Spain’s King Felipe was amongst these in attendance, however the one conflict between two former winners of the World Cup within the group phases was an enormous disappointment.
Lamine Yamal within the beginning lineup had sparked the Spanish assault into life in a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia after La Roja started in underwhelming style with a goalless draw towards Cape Verde.
However one other laboured attacking efficiency leaves Luis de la Fuente with loads to ponder earlier than the knockout phases start on Sunday.
A hero of Uruguay’s run to the semifinals in 2010, Muslera was at fault for each Cape Verde’s objectives in a 2-2 draw.
And in Guadalajara, Spain had barely threatened the Uruguay aim earlier than the 40-year-old allowed Baena’s shot to dribble over the road from Marcos Llorente’s cross on 42 minutes.
To rub salt into Uruguayan wounds, Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was injured within the buildup to the aim and stretchered off with what seemed to be a severe knee harm.
Bielsa changed Muslera at half-time with Sergio Rochet, and the Uruguay boss made an excellent bolder name when Valverde was taken off on the hour mark.
De la Fuente additionally turned to his bench, and the introduction of Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz lastly injected some life into the Spanish efficiency.
Olmo ought to have executed higher when he spooned a shot over from a uncommon flash of Yamal’s brilliance to tee up his Barcelona teammate.
Yamal was changed quarter-hour from time as his minutes proceed to be managed after a hamstring harm ended his membership season prematurely.
His substitute, Ferran Torres, ought to have doubled the lead 5 minutes from time however hit the bar with simply the goalkeeper to beat.
Uruguay’s depressing match was summed up when Agustin Canobbio was proven a straight purple card in stoppage time for a wild lunge on Pau Cubarsi.
Hyped as one of many pre-tournament favourites, Spain are actually 34 aggressive video games unbeaten and are but to concede a aim on the World Cup.
However in stark distinction to a few of the scintillating attacking play on present from the likes of France, Argentina and the Netherlands, La Roja are but to persuade of their quest for a second World Cup triumph.
