Fernando Muslera, Uruguay’s goalkeeper, has spoken publicly for the first time since a first-half error against Spain ended his country’s 2026 World Cup run. The veteran was substituted at halftime of the 1-0 loss to Spain on June 27 in Guadalajara, a defeat that sealed Uruguay’s group-stage elimination.
The decisive moment came from Muslera’s mistake, which allowed Spain’s Alex Baena to score what proved to be the only goal of the match.
Bielsa takes the blame, Muslera takes himself off
Coach Marcelo Bielsa revealed after the match that Muslera requested his own substitution at halftime. The goalkeeper’s confidence was shattered by the error, and he made the call himself rather than waiting for his manager to act.
Bielsa accepted full responsibility for Uruguay’s failure to advance. His post-match comments were characteristically blunt.
