MEXICO CITY, July 1 Betandsured. Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie was sent off in stoppage time of Tuesday’s World Cup last 32 defeat to Mexico after covering his mouth during a conversation with an opponent, becoming the second player to fall foul of the tournament’s controversial new regulation .
The Arsenal centre back lost his composure in the dying moments of a chastening evening at the Azteca Stadium, engaging in conversation with Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez that prompted VAR intervention . Under rules introduced for this World Cup, any player covering their mouth while speaking to an opponent is subject to an automatic red card .
Referee Raphael Claus confirmed the decision to the crowd after a VAR review, leaving Hincapie to trudge off as Ecuador’s elimination was confirmed . Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was the first player to be sanctioned under the new rule when he received his marching orders against Turkey, incurring a one game suspension .
Mexico End 40 Year Knockout Hoodoo
The dismissal was a minor footnote on a night of overwhelming Mexican dominance. La Tri delivered their finest performance of the tournament, roaring into the last 16 with a display of ruthless attacking football that ended a 40 year wait for a World Cup knockout victory .
Julian Quinones opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 22nd minute, arrowing a finish past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez from the edge of the area . The striker turned provider nine minutes later, threading a pass for Raul Jimenez to slot home as Mexico capitalized on a shell shocked Ecuador defence unable to cope with the intensity of the co hosts’ relentless pressing .
Last 16 Test Awaits
The victory sets up a last 16 clash at the same venue on Sunday night, where Mexico will face either England or DR Congo . A victory there would secure a place in the quarter finals for only the second time in Mexican history .
For Ecuador, the tournament ends in disappointment after a campaign that promised much but ultimately delivered little. Hincapie’s red card, regardless of the circumstances, summed up a night of frustration for Gustavo Alfaro’s side. They were outclassed, outrun and outthought by a Mexican team seemingly determined to seize the momentum of home support .
The mouth covering rule, introduced in a bid to clamp down on players attempting to hide verbal abuse from officials and broadcast microphones, has already proven divisive. Ecuador head coach Alfaro declined to comment on the decision, but it is unlikely to be the last time the regulation dominates headlines before the tournament concludes .
