Guadalajara: Uruguay crash out of World Cup after ...

By Priya Nair — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Uruguay’s World Cup Exit

Uruguay has been eliminated from the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara. The loss secured Spain the top spot in Group H, while Uruguay’s early exit marks their second consecutive World Cup where they failed to advance past the group stage. This outcome follows draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia earlier in the tournament.

The decisive goal came just before halftime, in the 42nd minute, when Álex Baena’s shot found the net. The goal resulted from a mistake by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who at 40 years old, saw the ball slip through his grasp. This error proved costly for the South American side.

The match was marked by physical play, with Uruguay making it challenging for Spain throughout the first half. Despite early opportunities for Uruguay, including a moment where Manuel Ugarte almost set up Federico Valverde, they struggled to convert pressure into clear chances. Their first shot on target did not occur until the 83rd minute.

Key Moments and Player Reactions

The goal that ultimately decided the match began with Ugarte going down as he attempted to dispossess Pedri. Despite calls from teammates for Spain to stop play, they continued, with Lamine Yamal involved in the build-up. Marcos Llorente then delivered a cross to Baena, whose first-time shot was fumbled by Muslera, bouncing over his hands and into the goal.

Following the goal, Muslera was replaced at halftime by Sergio Rochet, marking a disappointing end to what was his fourth World Cup. Ugarte also left the field injured in the build-up to the goal, reportedly with a knee injury. Later in the match, Valverde was substituted against his will in the 60th minute, expressing his frustration as he departed.

Uruguay players slump after defeat to Spain — Uruguay players react after their World Cup was ended by Spain.Photograph: Natacha Pisarenko Credit: theguardian.com

The match also saw several physical exchanges. Nico Williams left the field limping, and Yéremy Pino departed with his arm in a sling. In stoppage time, Agustín Canobbio received a straight red card for a lunge on Pau Cubarsi, further compounding Uruguay’s difficult evening.

Spain’s Progression and Future Fixtures

With their victory, Spain secured the top spot in Group H, avoiding a potential matchup against Argentina in the last 32. Instead, Spain will face either Algeria or Austria in Los Angeles. This win extends Spain’s unbeaten competitive run to 34 games, and they have yet to concede a goal in the tournament.

Despite the win, Spain’s attacking performance was described as labored, prompting manager Luis de la Fuente to make substitutions, introducing Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz to inject more life into the team. Ferran Torres, who replaced Yamal, had an opportunity to double Spain’s lead but hit the crossbar.

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera fumbles Alex Baena’s shot over the line.Photograph: Natacha Pisarenko Credit: theguardian.com

Cape Verde, making their debut in the tournament, secured second place in the group after a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, earning them a match against Lionel Messi and the defending champions. Uruguay’s defeat means they are the highest-ranked team to exit the tournament during the group stages.

The Uruguay camp reportedly experienced internal issues, with some leading players, including Valverde, clashing with coach Marcelo Bielsa over his tactics. Bielsa acknowledged his responsibility for the team’s performance, stating, “It’s my responsibility; we had a potential that I didn’t manage to turn into a team that played to its level.”

The European champions will play their next match in Los Angeles on Thursday.