Fernando Muslera benched after costly error leaves Uruguay on the brink

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, 40, was replaced at halftime in a decisive World Cup match against Spain after another critical mistake led directly to a goal. Spain went ahead 1-0 in the 42nd minute through Alex Baena, who scored after Muslera mishandled the play. Muslera then ended his game moments later, in what could also have been his final appearance for Uruguay.

The article says Muslera had already made errors in previous matches, and the latest one prompted strong criticism in the global press. One report said Marcelo Bielsa should have stopped trusting him before Uruguay’s previous group-stage match, while another wrote that Muslera was eliminating La Celeste from the World Cup on his own and that it was time for him to retire from football.

According to Sofascore, Muslera is the only goalkeeper since 1966 to make five mistakes that directly led to goals in World Cups. The article lists those incidents as a spilled header against Saudi Arabia that led to a rebound goal, a long-range free kick goal against Cape Verde, being caught off his line for Cape Verde’s second goal, and the Alex Baena mishandling against Spain.

The match took place overnight between Friday and Saturday, on June 27, 2026, and left Uruguay in danger of elimination.