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Fernando Muslera has done this before. The 40-year-old Uruguayan goalkeeper, one of the most experienced shot-stoppers in international football, let a saveable effort slip through his hands, gifting Spain a goal in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H encounter.
Muslera initially got his gloves on the shot. Then, in the kind of moment that makes goalkeepers wake up in cold sweats for years afterward, the ball squirmed free and crossed the line.
A pattern that won’t quit
Muslera has been flagged as one of the players with the most errors leading to goals in World Cup history since 1966. The most memorable of those mistakes came during the 2018 quarterfinals against France, where a Muslera error contributed to Uruguay’s elimination. Eight years later, at an age when most goalkeepers have long since traded their gloves for a punditry chair, the script hasn’t changed much.
Muslera was born on June 16, 1986, which made him 40 years old at the time of this tournament.
Uruguay’s Group H headache
On June 21, 2026, La Celeste drew 2-2 with Cape Verde at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Cape Verde, making their first-ever World Cup appearance, were supposed to be the group’s obligatory underdogs. Kevin Pina opened the scoring for the island nation with a long-range free kick. Then Muslera mishandled a back-line pass, initially gaining control before losing possession and allowing Hélio Varela to score the equalizing goal that sealed the 2-2 draw.
Uruguay faced Spain on June 26 in their final Group H match, needing points after the draw against Cape Verde.
What this means for the tournament picture
Uruguay entered the 2026 World Cup as a team with genuine ambitions, with two World Cup titles in their history. Spain, winners of the 2010 World Cup and multiple European Championships, were historically one of the strongest teams in international football.
Muslera’s club career at Galatasaray has been decorated and long-running, which is partly why he has maintained his national team spot well into his forties. His World Cup error count puts him in historically dubious company among goalkeepers since 1966.
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