URUGUAY goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was taken off at half time as his horror blunder saw his side knocked OUT of the World Cup in a chaotic end to their campaign.
The former Galatasaray shot-stopper, 40, was guilty of a clanger as he allowed Alex Baena’s tame shot to bounce into the net.
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Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera was hauled off at half time after his costly error vs Spain Credit: AP
Back-up keeper Sergio Rochet was instead thrusted into the action Credit: Getty
Muslera got a hand to it but couldn’t stop it crossing the line in an absolute gift to Spain.
And manager Marcelo Bielsa was brutal in hauling him off at the break as Sergio Rochet replaced him.
Former England keeper Rob Green – who was guilty of his own high-profile mistake at the 2010 World Cup – said Bielsa was just as accountable.
He told Fox Sports: “Incredible move. You just wonder whether it was all too much.
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“Bielsa is as much at fault as Muslera in all of this.”
The mistake was costly as Spain inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Uruguay, who become the highest-ranked team to be eliminated this summer.
Muslera was not the only high-profile axing as Real Madrid star Federico Valverde was substituted after just 56 minutes.
It got even worse for Bielsa’s side as Uruguay ended the match with ten men after Agustin Canobbio was dismissed for hacking out at Pau Cubarsi.
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Marcelo Bielsa was fuming after Uruguay handed Spain the lead before his side were dumped out Credit: Reuters
Their elimination meant that unfancied minnows incredibly finished second in the group and advanced to the knockouts.
Veteran Muslera had started each of Uruguay‘s previous two games against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
He let one goal in against Saudi Arabia as his side drew 1-1 but let in two goals against minnows Cape Verde.
The experienced keeper has picked up 136 caps for his country after making his debut in 2009.
That makes him the third-highest capped Uruguay player of all time behind Diego Godin and Luis Suarez.
Muslera started his career with Uruguayan side Montevideo Wanderers before joining Lazio in 2007.
He would spend four years in Italy before signing for Galatasaray in 2011.
Muslera ended up becoming an iconic figure in Istanbul as he played 551 times for Galatasaray.
His manager Bielsa is known for his brutal and no-nonsense measures.
The Argentine was notorious for his “tell it like it as” approach with players and has strong demands for his squads in training.
Muslera is not the first player Bielsa has hooked at half time during this tournament.
He hauled off former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez during their opening match against Saudi Arabia after an anonymous display.
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