Williams' Emotional Day
Nico Williams Calls Day His 'Worst,' Citing Avoidable Play Involving de la Cruz
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Nico Williams broke down emotionally on June 27, 2026, calling it "uno de los peores días de mi vida" — one of the worst days of his life. The Athletic Club winger was injured in the 90th minute of Spain's 1-0 win over Uruguay when Nicolás de la Cruz hit him with a heavy tackle from behind. Medical tests in Chattanooga, Tennessee, confirmed a moderate adductor muscle injury, throwing Spain's knockout-stage plans into serious doubt El Correo Web.
Williams posted a lengthy statement on Instagram after the diagnosis. "It was a play that, in my opinion, could have been avoided because it was completely unnecessary," he wrote, pointing directly at De la Cruz. The incident overshadowed Spain's victory and their advance to the round of 16 as Group H winners with 7 points Levante EMV.
De la Cruz Tackle Triggers Fury in Final Minutes
Williams came on as a substitute in the 76th minute, replacing Mikel Oyarzabal. With Uruguay trailing 1-0 and facing elimination, Nicolás de la Cruz — a Flamengo midfielder — lunged at Williams from behind in the 90th minute. Williams screamed "¡Estás loco!" at the Uruguayan player. De la Cruz received only a yellow card. The referee never consulted VAR Diario de Ibiza.
Spanish officials were furious. Referee Ismail Elfath was accused of "losing control" of the match. Just two minutes later, Uruguay's Agustín Canobbio was sent off with a straight red card for a similar foul on Pau Cubarsí. Spanish journalists noted the clear double standard: a red for Canobbio, but only a yellow for the tackle that ended Williams' match La Opinión de Málaga.
Williams' Injury History Makes This Blow Even Harder
This injury is the latest chapter in a brutal year for Williams. He missed 20 matches for Athletic Club in the 2025-26 season due to a chronic groin problem. At its worst, the pain made simple tasks — like getting in a car — very difficult. He had only just returned to match fitness for the World Cup La Opinión de Murcia.
Williams had played just 58 total minutes across Spain's three group-stage games. He scored no goals and was being carefully managed by coach Luis de la Fuente. The new adductor injury is now "moderate" — the same grade as his May hamstring problem — meaning he could miss days or weeks of the tournament La Nueva España.
Spain Enters Knockouts With Depleted Winger Options
The injury crisis on Spain's wings is now severe. Yeremy Pino suffered a shoulder sprain in the same match. Víctor Muñoz has a calf problem and has not yet played a minute in the tournament. Coach De la Fuente called Pino's effort to finish the match "heroic" but admitted "maximum concern" for his squad's wide options El Periódico de Extremadura.
De la Fuente may now have to lean almost entirely on 18-year-old Lamine Yamal — who is also being managed for fitness — or move Gavi into a wide role. Spain face the runner-up of Group J, likely Austria or Algeria, on July 2 in Los Angeles. They go into that game as favorites but far from full strength El Correo Gallego.
Uruguay Exits in Chaos as Bielsa Takes the Blame
Uruguay finished third in Group H with just 2 points and are eliminated. Their only shot on target came in the 83rd minute. They held just 33.4% possession all game. Coach Marcelo Bielsa took full responsibility in a blunt post-match statement: "What do I leave for Uruguayan soccer? Nothing" La Opinión de Zamora.
Bielsa's exit had been expected. Players, including Luis Suárez, had publicly criticized his management as "toxic" going back to the 2024 Copa América. Reports now suggest Marcelo Gallardo is the frontrunner to take over. The De la Cruz tackle may be remembered as the ugly final act of a deeply troubled Bielsa era Información.
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