Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is replaced at halftime at his request after mistake vs. Spain

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera asked to be replaced at halftime against Spain in the World Cup on Friday night after he made a mistake that led to a goal, coach Marcelo Bielsa said.

Sergio Rochet came in to start the second half with Uruguay trailing 1-0 and on the verge of elimination. The result stood.

“He is the one who decided to leave,” Bielsa said of Muslera, who also had blunders in the team’s 2-2 draw against Cape Verde and its opening 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia.

Muslera couldn’t swat away Álex Baena’s shot from inside the area in the 42nd minute. He appeared to be fooled by the bounce and couldn’t get to the ball with his hands firm enough to fully deflect the shot away from the net.

The 40-year-old Muslera, who had retired from international competition a few years ago, made it back to the squad earlier this year under Bielsa, who was criticized by many Uruguay fans for his decision.

“My decision was very well thought out. I made all the evaluations that I thought were necessary,” Bielsa said. “Now, of course, I can’t deny what happed and evaluate his performance. But he is a goalkeeper who was coming off a very good year and is a player with great personality and character.”

In Sunday’s matchup with Cape Verde, Muslera was caught out of position after a bad pass by Mathias Olivera, leading to a tying empty-net goal. And against Saudi Arabia, he failed to secure the ball after a header, and the Saudis scored on the rebound.

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Associated Press writer Maria Verza contributed to this report.

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