Uruguay suffered a dramatic and disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026, falling to Spain in their decisive group-stage clash and surrendering a knockout place to tournament debutants Cape Verde.

The biggest surprise in the group came from Cape Verde, who secured second place after earning three hard-fought draws against Uruguay, Spain and Saudi Arabia. The remarkable achievement sends the African nation into the knockout rounds, where a blockbuster meeting with Argentina now awaits.

Uruguay looked well-organised for much of the first half, unsettling Spain with their trademark high pressing and aggressive intensity. For 42 minutes, the South Americans matched their opponents and appeared capable of keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

Everything changed just before half-time. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera committed a costly error that gifted Spain the opening goal, a moment that completely shifted the momentum of the contest. From that point on, Uruguay struggled to recover and never truly looked capable of mounting a response.

Signs of growing frustration within the squad became impossible to ignore after the break. Midfielder Federico Valverde reacted angrily to being substituted, with his emotional outburst highlighting the tension inside the Uruguayan camp during a match slipping beyond their control.

The nightmare was complete in stoppage time when Agustín Canobbio received a straight red card for a reckless challenge, capping a miserable World Cup for Uruguay.

World Cup 2026

Uruguay - Spain 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Álex Baena, 42 (0:1)

Uruguay: Muslera (Rochet, 46); Cáceres S.; Varela; Olivera M.; Ugarte (De La Cruz, 45); Bentancur; Sanabria J. (Rodríguez Bravo, 70); Valverde F. (Vinas, 57); Canobbio (till 90); Araújo M.; Núñez D.
Substitution: De La Cruz (from 45); Rochet (from 46); Vinas (from 57); Rodríguez Bravo (from 70)
Bench: Mele; Gimenez Jose; Araujo R.; Viña; Piquerez; Bueno S.; Martínez Em.; De Arrascaeta; Pellistri; Zalazar; Aguirre
Yellow Cards: Sanabria J. 54; Varela 58; De La Cruz 90
Red cards: Canobbio 90'

Spain: Simón U.; Laporte; Cubarsí; Cucurella; Llorente M.; Merino (Olmo, 60); Álex Baena (Pino Y., 66); Rodri; Oyarzabal (Torres F., 76); Yamal (Nico Williams, 76); Pedri (Fabian Ruiz, 60)
Substitution: Fabian Ruiz (from 60); Olmo (from 60); Pino Y. (from 66); Torres F. (from 76); Nico Williams (from 76)
Bench: Raya; García Jo.; Pubill; Grimaldo; Garcia E.; Porro; Zubimendi; Gavi; Muñoz Vic.; Iglesias
Yellow Cards: Álex Baena 46