27/06/2026 03:28 - Deportes
The Uruguayan national team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Spain at the Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. The match was decided by an inexcusable error by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The team led by Marcelo Bielsa managed only two points in three matches and failed to secure a single victory in the group stage.
The only goal came at 41 minutes of the first half. Álex Baena, a player from Atlético de Madrid, took a shot inside the area that seemed controllable, but Muslera failed to hold the ball, and it slipped through his hands into the net.
Baena's shot lacked the power and placement to be a guaranteed goal, but Muslera, Galatasaray's goalkeeper, failed at the most critical moment. The ball escaped his hands and ended up in the back of the net.
Bielsa made a historic decision: he substituted Muslera at halftime for Sergio Rochet, a clear sign of his dissatisfaction with the goalkeeper's performance, who had already committed errors in previous matches against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Marcelo Bielsa, known as "El Loco" (The Madman), faced another group stage elimination in a World Cup, something that previously occurred with Argentina in Korea-Japan 2002 and Uruguay in Qatar 2022. The Rosario-born manager couldn't find a way for his team to score in the second half.
Near the end of the match, Agustín Canobbio was sent off for a serious foul, leaving Uruguay with ten players and no chance of a comeback.
For context: Group H was one of the tournament's most balanced groups, with surprising results that eliminated a traditional powerhouse like Uruguay.
| Matchday | Opponent | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | Saudi Arabia | Draw 1-1 | Goal by Maximiliano Araújo |
| Matchday 2 | Cape Verde | Draw 2-2 | Error by Muslera |
| Matchday 3 | Spain | Defeat 0-1 | Goal by Baena (41' 1H) |
Total: 2 points, 0 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss. Eliminated in the group stage.
Fans didn't forgive Muslera, making him a worldwide trending topic with memes comparing his hands to all kinds of slippery objects. Federico Valverde, Real Madrid's star, was also criticized for his underwhelming performance and was substituted in the second half by Federico Viñas.
Users pointed out that Uruguay only won World Cups in black and white (1930 and 1950) and posted memes with dinosaurs celebrating goals, referencing the long drought without world titles.
Note: Uruguay won the first-ever World Cup in 1930 as hosts, and their famous "Maracanazo" victory over Brazil in 1950 remains one of football's greatest upsets. They haven't won since.
Spain won Group H with 4 points and will face Sweden in the Round of 16.
Cape Verde finished second with 2 points and will play against Argentina on July 3 at 7:00 PM in Miami.
Group H ended with Spain as leaders with 4 points, followed by Cape Verde with 2 points, Uruguay with 2 points, and Saudi Arabia eliminated with 0 points. Goal difference favored the African nation, achieving a historic milestone by qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time.
The match between Spain and Uruguay determined the group leader, while the 0-0 draw between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia secured the African side's second place, becoming the surprise of the group.
Cape Verde, a small island nation off the coast of West Africa with a population of around 600,000, has become one of the tournament's most inspiring stories, proving that football's landscape is changing globally.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
