The Daily · Saturday, 27 June 2026
Uruguay Out, Belgium Top Group G, and Cape Verde Reach the Last 16
The group stage of the 2026 World Cup continued to deliver on Saturday, with Uruguay's elimination the day's most resonant story. A 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara — secured by Alex Baena after a Fernando Muslera error — confirmed Marcelo Bielsa's side would not advance, and within hours Bielsa announced he was leaving his post. That he accepted full responsibility after failing to win a single match in a group that included Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia spoke to the weight of the disappointment. Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off during the defeat, leaving Manchester United anxious about the extent of the injury.
Elsewhere, Belgium settled the Group G picture with a 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand, finishing as group winners on goal difference. Harry Kane broke England's all-time World Cup scoring record in a 2-0 win over Panama, while Scotland's exit from the tournament was confirmed. Spain, meanwhile, received better-than-feared news on Yéremy Pino and Nico Williams, both of whom avoided the worst injury scenarios after the Uruguay game.
The day's quiet triumph belonged to Cape Verde, who drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to reach the last 16 from a group containing two former world champions. They will face Argentina in Miami. South Africa, absent from the tournament since hosting it in 2010, also reached the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
The record
Bielsa Leaves Uruguay After World Cup Exit, 1-0 Loss to Spain
Marcelo Bielsa will leave as Uruguay head coach after their elimination from the World Cup, confirmed by a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Guadalajara. Uruguay failed to win a game in a group that also included Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Bielsa, 70, admitted he had left nothing to Uruguayan football and accepted full responsibility for the disappointment. Uruguay's group-stage exit — without a single win against a field that included Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia — marks a significant low point for a nation with deep World Cup history, and ends Bielsa's tenure on his own admission of failure.
Muslera Error Sends Uruguay Out as Spain Win 1-0
Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 in their World Cup group stage match, with Alex Baena scoring the only goal after a mistake by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The result eliminates Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay side at the group stage. Uruguay's group-stage exit is a significant World Cup elimination for a nation with strong footballing heritage, while Spain advance with a win secured by an opposition error rather than sustained pressure.
Cape Verde Draw with Saudi Arabia to Reach Last 16 at 2026 World Cup
Cape Verde secured a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Group H, navigating a tough group that included two former world champions in Spain and Uruguay. The small island nation — with a population smaller than Bradford — will next face Argentina in Miami. A win there would make them the greatest World Cup story of all time. Cape Verde's progression from a group containing Spain and Uruguay to a last-16 tie with Argentina is one of the most remarkable underdog runs in World Cup history.
Belgium Thrash New Zealand 5-1 to Top Group G
Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to finish as winners of Group G on goal difference, securing their place in the World Cup round of 32. The emphatic victory puts Belgium through as group winners rather than runners-up. Winning the group rather than finishing second will shape Belgium's path through the knockout rounds.
Scotland eliminated from 2026 World Cup after group stage exit
Scotland are out of the 2026 World Cup, confirmed unable to finish among the eight best third-placed teams required to advance. Their group stage campaign is over and they will play no further part in the tournament. Scotland's elimination ends their 2026 World Cup campaign, confirming they cannot progress regardless of remaining results.