Uruguay exit World Cup in Group H without a win; Muslera howler seals Spain result
A Fernando Muslera blunder gifted Alex Baena the only goal in the 42nd minute; the 40-year-old keeper substituted himself at half-time, ending a winless campaign for the 19th-ranked two-time champion, and opening the door for Cape Verde to advance
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Summary
Uruguay, a two-time World Cup champion ranked 19th by FIFA, were eliminated from the 2026 group stage without a win after Spain beat them 1-0 at Estadio Akron. Fernando Muslera, 40, palmed a routine Alex Baena shot into his own net in the 42nd minute, his third error of the tournament; he asked to come off at half-time and was replaced by Sergio Rochet. The result confirmed Spain as Group H winners and simultaneously ended Saudi Arabia's hopes, while Cape Verde, drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia across the venue, advanced in second place. Bielsa said afterward: "What do I leave for Uruguayan soccer? Nothing."
Why it matters
Uruguay is the highest-ranked team eliminated in the group stage. Their exit is partly generational: Muslera's errors signaled a transition problem the federation could not solve before the tournament. Cape Verde's advance makes Uruguay's failure doubly pointed, as the two-time champions exit alongside the competition's smallest debutant.