Muslera blunder sends Uruguay crashing out as Cape Verde reach World Cup last 32
A catastrophic mistake by veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera handed Spain a 1-0 win, eliminating Uruguay from the 2026 World Cup group stage while Cape Verde's third goalless draw secured a historic place in the round of 32.
Spain squeak by
Spain controlled possession but created little until a gift arrived in the 42nd minute. Marcos Llorente crossed from the right, Alex Baena collected the ball and his tame shot from about thirteen metres was fumbled by Fernando Muslera straight into the net. The goal proved enough to send Luis de la Fuente's side through as Group H winners.
- Lamine Yamal sets up Mikel Oyarzabal, but the shot goes wide.
- Alex Baena scores after Fernando Muslera fumbles a tame shot.
- Manuel Ugarte stretchered off with a knee injury.
- Halftime: Muslera substituted by Sergio Rochet.
- Agustin Canobbio sent off for a foul.
A nightmare for Muslera
The 40-year-old Uruguayan, appearing at his fifth World Cup, endured a tournament to forget. He was at fault for all four goals his team conceded in the group – a dropped catch against Saudi Arabia, a free-kick he should have stopped against Cape Verde, a reckless rush out of his area that left an empty net in the same match, and finally the decisive spill against Spain. Head coach Marcelo Bielsa substituted him at half-time, bringing on Sergio Rochet. It was the first time a goalkeeper had been taken off at the break for non-injury reasons at a World Cup since Bulgaria’s Boris Mikhailov in 1994.
Ugarte suffers serious injury
In the same passage of play that produced Spain’s goal, Uruguay suffered another blow. Midfielder Manuel Ugarte collided with a teammate, his knee bending unnaturally. He was unable to continue and left the field on a stretcher, deepening the gloom for the South Americans.
Cape Verde make history
While Uruguay’s campaign unravelled, Cape Verde secured a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia to finish second in the group. The World Cup debutants collected three points from three goalless stalemates – their disciplined defensive displays earning them an unlikely last-32 berth at the expense of the former two-time champions.
Frustration boils over
Uruguay’s misery was compounded deep into stoppage time when Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card for a brutal foul. It was the final act of a campaign that started with high expectations but ended in acrimony, with reports of tension between Bielsa and his players overshadowing the team’s performances.
