Bielsa Benches Goalkeeper
Uruguay Manager Bielsa Replaces Goalkeeper Muslera After Costly Halftime Gaffe
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Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa made a stunning decision at halftime of his team's must-win match against Spain. He pulled goalkeeper Fernando Muslera after the 40-year-old veteran let a shot from Alex Baena slip through his hands in the 42nd minute, putting Uruguay down 1-0. Sergio Rochet came on for the second half, according to The Independent.
The substitution marked Muslera's third error leading directly to a goal in the tournament — the most costly run of mistakes by a goalkeeper in this World Cup. Uruguay entered the match with just two points from two group games, their worst start since 2002, Sporting News reported. A loss or draw could end their campaign entirely.
Muslera's Third Blunder Proves One Too Many
Fernando Muslera has been Uruguay's starting goalkeeper for years, earning 137 caps. But the 2026 World Cup has been a disaster for him. He made a positioning error against Saudi Arabia on June 15, then misjudged a free kick and was caught off his line against Cape Verde on June 21, according to USA Today. Each mistake cost Uruguay a goal.
Against Spain, Baena's shot from the edge of the area went straight through Muslera's hands. Analyst Lydia Williams put it bluntly: "Two costly mistakes, you can't do that at this level. He has paid the price for it," she said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Gary Neville of ITV called Bielsa's decision "brutal" but said the error "transforms the entirety of the group."
Locker Room Revolt Adds Fuel to the Fire
The halftime change did not happen in a vacuum. On June 26, hours before kickoff, key players reportedly confronted Bielsa directly. Captain Federico Valverde led a delegation that included Rochet, Ugarte, and Bentancur. They asked Bielsa to adopt a "low block" — a defensive, cautious style — against Spain. Bielsa reportedly responded with a 48-minute lecture and refused to change his approach, according to Yahoo Sports.
This tension is not new. Former captain Luis Suárez retired from international football in 2024, publicly accusing Bielsa of "mistreating" players. Suárez claimed Bielsa refused to even greet players in the morning. Spain had 72% possession in the first half against Uruguay, showing that Bielsa's high-press system failed against elite technical opponents, Sporting News noted.
World Cup Survival Now Depends on Other Results
Uruguay's path out of Group H is narrow. A win keeps them alive outright. A draw or loss means they need Cape Verde to drop points against Saudi Arabia. If Cape Verde wins, Uruguay is mathematically eliminated from the top two spots, according to Yahoo Sports. An early exit would be Uruguay's first back-to-back group-stage elimination in their history — a stunning fall for a nation with two World Cup titles.
Bielsa himself has already hinted this is the end. He has said, "Our work ends with the World Cup," suggesting he will walk away regardless of the result. Reports from the Uruguayan Football Association indicate he may leave within a month, Sporting News reported. Uruguay is winless in their last six internationals heading into this decisive moment.
Bielsa's Legacy in Uruguay Crumbles Under Pressure
Bielsa arrived in Uruguay as a hero. He delivered landmark wins over Brazil and Argentina in qualifying. But his uncompromising style has worn players down. He is known for brutal training sessions and tactical monologues. Uruguayan media outlet El Espectador described the team as being in "full crisis mode" heading into the Spain match, as cited by Yahoo Sports.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, a self-described Bielsa disciple, called it "an honor to play against him for the first time." The irony was sharp — Bielsa's methods, once celebrated worldwide, now threaten to end his tenure in humiliation. Muslera summed up the night simply: "I'm late, I'm sorry," The Independent reported.
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