Uruguay goalkeeper makes huge error to concede goal vs. France
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia – Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera committed the worst goalkeeping error of this World Cup to send France heading towards a place in the semifinals.
With France leading 1-0 after 61 minutes of Friday’s quarterfinal between the sides, Antoine Griezmann fired a goal-bound shot from outside the area which Muslera should have been able to collect comfortably.
However, the ball somehow managed to squirm out of his grasp and into the net, giving Griezmann his third goal of the tournament and France a 2-0 lead it would not relinquish.
There have been other goalkeeping mistakes during the World Cup, such as a howler from Argentina’s Willy Caballero against Croatia. But none were as embarrassing as Muslera’s which seemed to end Uruguayan hopes of progressing further in the competition.
Earlier, defender Raphael Varane headed France into the lead after 40 minutes, converting a pinpoint Griezmann free kick.
France will now face the winner of Friday's later quarterfinal between Brazil and Belgium in a last four showdown in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.