URUGUAY ELIMINATED AS SPAIN ADVANCE TO ROUND OF 32

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Uruguay’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara, marking the first time the two-time champions have been eliminated at the group stage in consecutive World Cup tournaments.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side fell to the European champions at Estadio Akron in a tense encounter that saw their first-choice goalkeeper withdrawn at half-time, a key midfielder stretchered off with injury and a player sent off late in the game.

Spain secured the decisive goal in the 42nd minute through Alex Baena, whose effort slipped past veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Uruguay’s troubles deepened shortly before the break when midfielder Manuel Ugarte was forced off on a stretcher after suffering an apparent injury.

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At half-time, Muslera was replaced by Sergio Rochet, a decision Bielsa later revealed had been made by the goalkeeper himself. The Uruguay coach also substituted captain Federico Valverde in the 57th minute, a move that reportedly frustrated the Real Madrid midfielder.

Spain nearly doubled their advantage late in the match when Ferran Torres struck the crossbar after racing through on goal in the 86th minute.

Uruguay pushed for an equaliser and appealed for a late penalty involving Matias Vina, but the referee waved away their claims. Their frustrations boiled over in stoppage time when Agustin Canobbio was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi. The midfielder then confronted referee Ismail Elfath and tugged at his shirt while protesting the decision.

Speaking after the match, Bielsa accepted responsibility for the team’s early exit.

“I was unable to harness the potential of Uruguay and its players,” the Argentine coach admitted.

The victory sends Spain through to the Round of 32, where they will face either Austria or Algeria in Los Angeles on Tuesday.