Overview
- Spain won 1-0 in Guadalajara on Friday when Álex Baena's shot slipped past Fernando Muslera, a mistake that proved decisive and left Uruguay unable to recover.
- Marcelo Bielsa substituted Muslera at halftime for Sergio Rochet after the error and Uruguay pushed for an equalizer in the second half without success.
- In the hours before the match senior players including Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Sergio Rochet and Rodrigo Bentancur confronted Bielsa about training intensity and tactics, prompting a 48-minute team meeting.
- A 0-0 draw between Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia sent Cabo Verde through as Group H runner-up to face Argentina in the round of 16, while Spain topped the group and Uruguay finished third and were eliminated.
- The exit deepens scrutiny of Bielsa's selection and tactics, recalls his previous early World Cup elimination in 2002, and could have immediate consequences for team leadership and coaching decisions.