Uruguay yanks goalkeeper Fernando Muslera at halftime after costly blunder

Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa hooked his goalkeeper at halftime, opting to replace Fernando Muslera with Sergio Rochet after 45 minutes of the final group match against Spain.

Muslera had fumbled a shot from Spain's Álex Baena in the 42nd minute, putting Uruguay 1-0 behind and, combined with results elsewhere, dumping the historically overachieving South American nation out of the World Cup if the team isn't able to turn the game around.

That apparently led Bielsa to make the unconventional decision to change goalkeepers in the middle of the match.

It wasn't the first error of the World Cup for the 40-year-old. Muslera conceded a pair of goals to Cape Verde in a 2-2 draw with the African nation, the first seeing his wall split on a free kick and the shot-stopper hung out to dry. But Muslera wandered far off his line and was easily beaten on the second goal.

Telemundo reported on its match broadcast that Muslera did not return to the bench for the second half, potentially staying in the locker room after the change.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde also was taken off in the 56th minute and cut a frustrated figure, covering his mouth with his shirt as he shouted to staff. Bielsa was seen giving forward Darwin Nunez and other players individual instruction during the second-half hydration break.

During the build-up to the match, reports from South America emerged that the squad was frustrated with Bielsa's tactics and his reaction to the first two matches, re-igniting tensions that emerged in September 2024 when long-time forward Luis Suarez retired from international play and expressed frustration with Bielsa's leadership.

The 70-year-old Argentine, known for his quirky mannerisms and his deep study of both his own and opposing teams, has led Uruguay since 2023.