Muslera's mistake gives Spain the win; Kaap Verdié (Cape Verde) entered the knockout stage
In Guadalajara, Mexico, Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 in the third round of the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. La Furia's victory was caused by a mistake by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera — a negative record discussed on social media — while the result also confirmed Cape Verde's historic reach to the knockout stage.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Spain secured an important 1-0 win over Uruguay this Friday (26) in the third round of the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Guadalajara.
The lone goal was scored at the end of the first half after a simple throw by Álex Baena ended in a glaring but crucial mistake by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Uruguay's veteran keeper didn't hold the ball well, and it ended with his own action that gave La Furia the win.
Because of that mistake, the Uruguay coach replaced Muslera between halves — Sergio Rochet came on for the second half. According to the team's record, they had never made a goalkeeper substitution in a World Cup match before this change, so it was considered a unique event in La Celeste's history at the tournament.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/en/onefootball_articles_802/5ad1d68ba02df4fd3910d74cd510787e" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Furthermore, Muslera became the first goalkeeper since 1966 to make three mistakes that resulted in goals for the opposition in a single edition of the World Cup — a negative statistic that was immediately talked about and laughed at on social media.
Uruguay's defeat has direct implications for the rest of the group: the result confirmed Cape Verde's historic ascension to the knockout stage of the World Cup, a milestone for the small nation.
All in all, the match ended with little controversy and a lot of emotion — a win for Spain, and another blow for Uruguay after Muslera's mistake was widely criticized online.
