Uruguay substitutes goalkeeper Muslera at halftime against Spain
ESPN • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 1:46 AM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Uruguay replaced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera with Sergio Rochet at halftime during their FIFA World Cup match against Spain on June 27. Muslera's mistake in the 42nd minute, where he fumbled a shot leading to Spain's first goal, sparked the decision as Uruguay faced elimination. This marks Muslera's third notable error in the tournament, leading to dissatisfaction among teammates with the coach Marcelo Bielsa's tactics. Reports indicate Muslera did not return for the second half, potentially indicating internal team issues as Uruguay's World Cup hopes hang in the balance during this final group-stage match.
- •Fernando Muslera replaced by Sergio Rochet at halftime against Spain.
- •Muslera's blunder led to Spain's opening goal in the 42nd minute.
- •Coach Marcelo Bielsa's decision reflects team frustrations.
- •Uruguay faces elimination depending on match outcome and other results.
- •Muslera struggled throughout the tournament, causing internal tension.
- 3:08 AMESPN — Uruguay out of WC after GK blunder against Spain
- 1:43 AMYahoo Sports — Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera pulled at halftime after his mistake leads to Spain goal
- 1:24 AMYahoo Sports — Uruguay yanks goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at halftime after costly blunder
"Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa made an unusual goalkeeping change at halftime against Spain in the World Cup on Friday after veteran Fernando Muslera made a mistake that led to a Spain goal. Sergio Rochet replaced Muslera to start the second half with Uruguay trailing 1-0 and on the verge of elimination. Muslera, who also had blunders in the team’s 2-2 draw against Cape Verde and its opening 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, couldn’t swat away Álex Baena's shot from inside the area in the 42nd minute.
"Uruguay pulled goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at halftime of their FIFA World Cup group-stage final after his blunder in the first half gifted Spain the lead at Estadio Akron on Friday.
"Fernando Muslera has had a poor tournament for Uruguay and was replaced at halftime of the South Americans' World Cup group finale against Spain.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 27, 2026, 3:08 AMUruguay out of WC after GK blunder against Spain
Uruguay pulled goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at halftime of their FIFA World Cup group-stage final after his blunder in the first half gifted Spain the lead at Estadio Akron on Friday.
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 1:43 AMUruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera pulled at halftime after his mistake leads to Spain goal
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa made an unusual goalkeeping change at halftime against Spain in the World Cup on Friday after veteran Fernando Muslera made a mistake that led to a Spain goal. Sergio Rochet replaced Muslera to start the second half with Uruguay trailing 1-0 and on the verge of elimination. Muslera, who also had blunders in the team’s 2-2 draw against Cape Verde and its opening 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, couldn’t swat away Álex Baena's shot from inside the area in the 42nd minute.
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 1:24 AMUruguay yanks goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at halftime after costly blunder
Fernando Muslera has had a poor tournament for Uruguay and was replaced at halftime of the South Americans' World Cup group finale against Spain.
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