Pachuca and Querétaro face each other in a duel of the needy

Uruguay’s early goodbye

Uruguay became the first FIFA world champion to be eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. The 1–0 defeat against Spain, with a goal by Álex Baena for which goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was responsible, unleashed a wave of anger and disappointment in Montevideo.

“Uruguay eliminated from the 2026 World Cup: Muslera’s mistake, Bentancur’s gesture and a team without identity,” headlined El País. “What a failure: Uruguay out of the World Cup,” added La Diaria. El Espectador described the situation as “the toughest elimination in the history of the World Cup.”

La Celeste added only two points and finished third—behind Spain and Cape Verde, debutants in the tournament. At halftime, Muslera was replaced by Sergio Rochet. Bielsa clarified that the change was requested by the goalkeeper himself.

“What I leave for Uruguayan football is nothing. It was a step that left nothing,” declared Bielsa. “I am responsible for this disappointment. To dump on myself all the disappointment generated by the work I did… it is good that it is so.”

Muslera, 40 years old and present in five World Cups, also spoke: “I never imagined suffering so much for this sport. I apologized to my teammates and to all the Uruguayan people.”

The disagreements between Bielsa and the squad have been going on for months. Captain Federico Valverde was replaced in the second half and left the field without greeting the coach. Days before, Valverde, Bentancur, Ugarte and Rochet met privately with Bielsa to question the intensity of the training sessions.

Bielsa led three South American teams in World Cups, with a record of 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses. His best performance was in South Africa 2010 with Chile, reaching the round of 16. In 2002 they were left out in the group stage with Argentina, despite having figures like Batistuta and Verón.

The early elimination reopens the debate about Bielsa: misunderstood genius or revolutionary? Meanwhile, Spain avoided a clash with Argentina, and Cape Verde will face Messi and his team in the round of 32.

Colombia closes the group stage undefeated

Miami, USA. Colombia led Group K and will face Ghana on Friday in Kansas City, after a goalless draw against Portugal. The team led by Néstor Lorenzo finished the first round undefeated, with two wins that could have been three if a valid goal in injury time was not disallowed. Davidson Sánchez’s goal was disallowed for offside, although replays showed the defender cleared.

Portugal, who escorted the group, will clash with Croatia on Thursday in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo achieved a historic 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan and will face England on Wednesday in Atlanta, after qualifying as one of the best third parties.

A duel of archers

Diogo Costa supported Portugal with key interventions, especially against Luis Díaz and Jhon Córdoba in the first minutes. On the Colombian side, Camilo Vargas responded with solvency, stopping a free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo and a clear opportunity from Bruno Fernandes. Portugal had its best moment near the break, with a shot from Joao Félix that kissed the crossbar.

In the complement, both teams looked for the goal. Portugal arrived with headers from Joao Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Colombia responded with shots from Richard Ríos and Luis Suárez. The score did not move, but the point was enough for the ‘coffee maker’ to secure the lead.

On Monday, Brazil and Japan promise excitement in Houston, while Germany and Paraguay will collide in Boston, and the Netherlands against Morocco in Monterrey.

Canada and South Africa open the round of 32

Canada, one of the hosts, and South Africa will begin the round of 32 this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Both teams made it past the group stage for the first time. The winner will face the winner of Netherlands-Morocco on Monday in Monterrey.

Russell retains pole in Spielberg despite yellow flag

Spielberg, Austria. — Mercedes’ streak of pole positions in Formula 1 seemed about to end. But George Russell had other plans.

When Max Verstappen spun and went off the track into the barrier in the penultimate corner, a yellow flag was activated. Pilots must reduce speed. Russell took his foot off the accelerator earlier than usual and completed a lap that he described as “incredible.”

Stewards determined that the incident did not require further investigation. Thus, Russell took pole position ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for Sunday’s race, classified as “heat danger.”

The simple yellow flag factor

The key was that there was a single yellow flag in the corner, not a double one. A simple one forces you to reduce your speed appreciably; a double requires abandoning any attempt at a competitive time.

“I didn’t even see the car because the escape zone is so far away. I think a single yellow was the right thing to do, because a double is immediate danger,” Russell explained. “I did everything right to be under control.”

It is Russell’s fourth pole this season, equaling teammate Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader.

Antonelli’s advantage is in danger

Minutes before the incident, Leclerc and Hamilton beat Antonelli’s time by less than a tenth. Verstappen, with his improved Red Bull, was also a candidate. Leclerc will start second and Hamilton third. Antonelli was fourth, his worst classification of the year.

His championship lead — 41 points over Hamilton, 50 over Russell — could be reduced for the second consecutive race. In Barcelona, ​​Antonelli broke down while Hamilton won and Russell was second.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called Russell’s move “super clever.” Verstappen’s previous time left him fifth, ahead of the McLarens of Norris and Piastri.