Spain wins World Cup group, beating Uruguay 1-0 as Muslera’s error sends 2-time champion home
Loading article...
-
Spain's Alex Baena, left, is congratulated after scoring his side's opening goal by Rodri during the World Cup Group H football match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
-
Spain's Pedri, top, and Uruguay's Sebastian Caceres vie for the ball during the World Cup Group H football match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 after another goalkeeping mistake by Fernando Muslera to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup and eliminate the South American powerhouse on Friday.
Uruguay, a two-time champion, will go home without any victories in its three Group H games.
Spain, the European champion, won the group with seven points and will face the second-place team from Group J — either Austria or Algeria — on Thursday in Inglewood, California.
Álex Baena scored in the 42nd minute after Muslera couldn’t fully swat away his shot from inside the area.
It was the third blunder of the tournament by the 40-year-old Muslera, who was pulled at halftime by coach Marcelo Bielsa.
At 19th in the FIFA rankings, Uruguay is the highest-ranked team to be eliminated so far.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.