Ugarte ACL confirmed as Uruguay crash out against Spain

Out at the group stage

Your World Cup is over. Uruguay lost 1–0 to Spain on Saturday and finished third in Group H, eliminated before the knockout rounds for the first time since 2002 (2) (3).

The draw with Cape Verde stung. The goalless stalemate against Spain left no margin. Bielsa took the tactical blame for the Cape Verde result, but the damage was already done, a single goal decided your fate against Spain, and the team could not answer.

Ugarte out with likely ACL injury

Manuel Ugarte's tournament ended in worse fashion. The Manchester United midfielder suffered a likely ACL injury during the Spain match and is out of the World Cup (1) (2). United are now reportedly reversing course on two midfielders they had previously sidelined in transfer plans (1).

Ugarte had been one of the few bright spots for Uruguay in the group stage. His performance in the Cape Verde draw earned praise from fans, and losing him now compounds the elimination.

De la Cruz: yellow, not red

Nicolas de la Cruz caught Nico Williams with a challenge that had Spain calling for a red card. Ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett reviewed the incident and backed the referee's decision: "I think it's reckless. I don't think it breaks that barrier for a red card. This is why probably VAR's not coming either, because they said subjective. So, for me, I think a yellow card is the right call" (3).

Williams himself is now out of the World Cup with injury, a separate blow for Spain (3).

Giménez never got on the pitch

Josema Giménez did not play a single minute in Uruguay's three group-stage matches (4). An unused substitute throughout. For a defender of his experience, that is a quiet ending to a loud disappointment.