Marcelo Bielsa says he 'leaves nothing to the country', claims Fernando Muslera subbed himself off as Uruguay crash out of 2026 World Cup

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Fernando Muslera made the decision to exit the World Cup stage at half-time of Uruguay's 1-0 loss to Spain, manager Marcelo Bielsa has revealed. The 40-year-old was at fault for Alex Baena's sole goal.

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Uruguay needed to avoid defeat in their Group H finale against the reigning champions of Europe, after two points in their opening two games.

The two-time World Cup winners kicked off their tournament in North America with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, then were held to a 2-2 stalemate by debutants Cabo Verde.

The African minnows have now gone through at Uruguay's expense, while their return of two points sees them unable to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

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Spain sealed top spot, meanwhile, thanks to Baena's first-half strike in Guadalajara. The effort should have been saved, but Muslera could not grasp it while diving, as he fumbled it over the line.

The goalkeeper was then hauled off at half-time by an increasingly furious Bielsa - but it has now been confirmed that the former Leeds United and Marseille boss did not make the call.

Bielsa said on the Uruguayan broadcast: "The Muslera change was not my decision, it was Fernando."

He added, taking responsibility for the disastrous early exit: "I couldn't boost the Uruguay players. I leave nothing to the country."

Muslera was one of eight players aged 40 or over to be selected for this summer's tournament - a remarkable figure, given only seven had appeared in the entire history of the World Cup beforehand.

He won his 137th cap on Friday evening, in what is likely to be a sorry end to a storied career for the national team, with whom he lifted the 2011 Copa America.

At club level, he is best known for his spell at Galatasaray, where he amassed a haul of eight Turkish Super Lig titles. The shot-stopper is now at Estudiantes.

Uruguay were denied a derby meeting with Argentina - Bielsa's home country, and one which he previously managed - in the round of 32.

La Celeste have now failed to make it out of the group in successive World Cups, after reaching the quarter-finals, round of 16 and semi-finals in the previous three.

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