Read 3 minutesUpdated: 1 July 2026 09:55 AM IST
Ecuador left-back Piero Hincapi became the first player to receive a red card for covering his face in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, as his team crashed out of the tournament after losing 0-2 to Mexico in the round of 32 match in Mexico City.
When Ecuadorian substitute Kensi Paez was yellow-carded for a rash swipe in stoppage time, Hincapie was seen covering his mouth and heading to Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez. After Gimenez appealed to the referee, the VAR decision ruled that Hincapie had violated the newly introduced rule at the World Cup.
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The new rule gives referees the power to eject players who cover their faces while running with opponents. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) Law 12 provides players with a straight red card for “use of offensive, abusive or insulting language and/or action(s)”. Referees rely on what they hear, their assistants and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) input, as well as player reactions and the context of the incident.
Hincapie is doing anything to avoid playing that trick, Caicedo…
Never seen a player so happy to get a red cardpic.twitter.com/801WB6C01w
— Red Cartel Era (@RedCartelHQ) 1 July 2026
During the group stages of the World Cup, Miguel Almiron of Paraguay was the first casualty Under new FIFA rules when he was sent off by the referee for covering his mouth during a verbal exchange with a Turkish player during the Turkey vs Paraguay match.
Under the new rules, referees will have more discretion to check the nature of conversations between opposing players. Banter is not a problem, but if a player sees an official covering his face with his hand, arm, or shirt during a skirmish, it is recommended that he be sent off.
Mexico continues its record-breaking run
Meanwhile, co-hosts Mexico continue their unblemished run in the tournament and book a Round of 16 tie with the winner of the England-Congo DR match later tonight.
Goals from Julián Quinones and Raul Jimenez meant that Mexico’s first half of a World Cup match was the first time in 64 games that they had scored multiple goals in the first half. Their winning streak has extended to four games in a row, marking the first time since Italy in 1990 that they started the World Cup with such a winning streak in 36 years.
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With Ecuador being the second most successful South American side from qualifying to the showpiece quarterfinals this time around, they will be square off from the sudden end to their tournament. Mexico’s win marked their first victory over a South American team other than Colombia in 15 World Cup matches.