Muslera mistake ends Uruguay World Cup run as Spain take Group H lead

GUADALAHARA, Mexico (AFP) — Uruguay's World Cup campaign ended in Guadalajara when goalkeeper Fernando Muslera fumbled a routine effort from Alex Baena, handing Spain a 1-0 victory and first place in Group H.

Baena's low strike should never have troubled Muslera, yet it squirmed past him for the match's lone goal. The result meant Spain will not meet Argentina in the round of 32 and will instead play Austria or Algeria in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Uruguay's loss opened the door for debutants Cape Verde, who took second in the group after a scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia and will now face Lionel Messi and the defending champions.

The two-time champions became the highest-ranked team eliminated during the group phase, capping a wretched tournament for coach Marcelo Bielsa and his players. Uruguay had only managed draws against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, and reports surfaced of unrest in the camp, with stars such as Real Madrid's Federico Valverde reportedly at odds with Bielsa over his approach.

Spain's King Felipe watched from the stands, but a meeting between two former world champions produced little drama on the pitch.

Lamine Yamal's return to the starting eleven had revived Spain's attack in a 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia, after La Roja opened with a flat goalless draw against Cape Verde. Yet another sluggish display in front of goal left Luis de la Fuente with questions to answer before the knockout round starts on Sunday.

Muslera, who helped drive Uruguay to the 2010 semi-finals, had already been blamed for both Cape Verde goals in a 2-2 stalemate. Against Spain, La Roja had created few clear chances before the 40-year-old let Baena's effort roll in from Marcos Llorente's cross in the 42nd minute.

Matters grew worse for Uruguay when Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte went down injured during the move that led to the goal and was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious knee problem.

Bielsa swapped Muslera for Sergio Rochet at the interval and later removed Valverde on the hour. De la Fuente responded by sending on Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz, which finally lifted Spain's tempo. Olmo missed a good chance when he blasted over after Yamal had carved out the opening for his Barcelona colleague.

Yamal came off with 15 minutes left as staff continue to manage his minutes following a hamstring injury that cut short his club season. Substitute Ferran Torres should have made it 2-0 five minutes from time but struck the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Uruguay's frustration boiled over when Agustín Canobbio was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

Backed as one of the pre-tournament favourites, Spain have now gone 34 competitive matches without defeat and have not conceded at this World Cup. Still, compared with the sharp attacking football from France, Argentina and the Netherlands, La Roja have not yet looked like a side ready to claim a second world title.