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Uruguay<\/a> head coach Marcelo Bielsa has revealed that Fernando Muslera asked to be substituted at halftime during La Celeste’<\/em>s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup on Friday.<\/p>\n Muslera, who was playing his 19th game for Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup<\/a>, made an error in the first half, which led to the only goal of the game. The 40-year-old fumbled Spain’s Alex Baena’s shot in the 42nd minute, which went into the goal after having contact with his hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Later, after the first half concluded, Fernadno Muslera was replaced by Sergio Rochet in the goal. He also became the only Uruguayan goalkeeper in history to be substituted in a game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n After the match, Marcelo Bielsa revealed that Muslera’s withdrawal at halftime was not his decision, as the goalkeeper himself asked to be substituted. He said (via X\/@FabrizioRomano<\/a>):<\/p>\n “Fernando Muslera asked me to be subbed off at half time”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign proved disastrous for the 40-year-old. He committed an error in every group-stage game, which led to an opposition goal. Muslera also became the only goalkeeper in the World Cup’s history since 1966 to make 3+ errors in a single campaign.<\/p>\n In the first half, La Roja<\/em> took only one shot on target, and it resulted in a goal. Against Spain, Muslera made zero saves and maintained a passing accuracy of 54% (7\/13). It’s highly likely that the Uruguayan goalkeeper has made his last appearance for the nation.<\/p>\n Only one goal separated Spain and Uruguay in their final group stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And, the goal was scored by Spain’s Alex Baena, who was playing only his second World Cup game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Alex Baena named player of the match against Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup clash<\/h2>\n