Guadalajara: Uruguay exit World Cup after Spain defeat

By Arjun Nair / 27.06.2026

By Arjun Nair — 27 June 2026 — 4 min read

Uruguay’s World Cup Campaign Ends in Disappointment

Uruguay has been eliminated from the World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara. The result secured Spain the top spot in Group H and meant Uruguay failed to advance past the group stages for the second consecutive World Cup. The match was decided by a goal from Álex Baena, which came as a result of a goalkeeping error.

The decisive moment occurred just before half-time when Fernando Muslera, Uruguay‘s 40-year-old goalkeeper, allowed Baena‘s shot to slip into the net. This error proved costly for Uruguay, who had struggled to create significant attacking opportunities throughout the game. Muslera, whose prints are on Uruguay‘s most self-destructive moments this summer, did not return for the second half, with Sergio Rochet taking his place.

The defeat rounded off a difficult tournament for Marcelo Bielsa‘s squad. After draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, reports of internal strife emerged, with some leading players, including Federico Valverde, reportedly clashing with Bielsa over his tactical approach. 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.”

Spain Advances Amidst Injury Concerns

Spain‘s victory, while securing their progression, was not without its challenges. The team faced a physical encounter against Uruguay, which resulted in injuries to key players. Nico Williams left the pitch limping, and Yéremy Pino departed with his arm in a sling, raising concerns about his continued participation in the tournament. These injuries add to Spain‘s considerations as they prepare for the knockout stages.

Despite the win, Spain‘s attacking performance in Guadalajara was described as laboured, leaving manager Luis de la Fuente with areas to address. De la Fuente commented on the nature of the game, saying, “In football, you can’t always play with the brilliance you wish for, or that we are capable of showing at other times.” He also noted the team’s ability to maintain composure amidst provocations during the match.

Spain will now face either Austria or Algeria in their next match, which is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles. This progression means Spain avoids a last-32 encounter with Argentina, a team that Cape Verde will now face after securing second place in Group H with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.

Uruguay’s Struggles and Bielsa’s Decisions

Uruguay‘s performance in the match against Spain highlighted their ongoing struggles in the tournament. They managed only two shots on target, neither of which came before the 80th minute, and both lacked significant threat. The team’s limitations were evident as they attempted to press Spain, but their efforts were largely ineffective, and time ultimately ran out.

Bielsa made another notable substitution during the match, withdrawing Federico Valverde on the hour mark, a decision that Valverde reportedly disagreed with. This followed Muslera‘s self-requested withdrawal at half-time. The match also saw Agustín Canobbio receive a straight red card in stoppage time for a challenge on Pau Cubarsi, further encapsulating Uruguay‘s frustrating campaign.

The goal that settled the match in the 42nd minute was described as a calamitous, self-inflicted wound for Uruguay. The play began with Manuel Ugarte going down, and despite calls from his teammates for Spain to stop, play continued. Lamine Yamal was involved in the build-up, and Marcos Llorente delivered a cross for Baena, whose shot ultimately found the net due to Muslera‘s error. Ugarte was also carried off injured, adding to Uruguay‘s woes.

Spain, meanwhile, has extended their unbeaten run to 34 competitive games and has yet to concede a goal in the World Cup. However, their attacking play has not yet matched the scintillating performances seen from other top teams in the tournament. The match against Uruguay, which saw King Felipe of Spain in attendance, concluded with Uruguay‘s elimination from the World Cup.

Ferran Torres, who replaced Yamal, had an opportunity to double Spain‘s lead five minutes from time but hit the bar.

Source: theguardian.com