Piero Hincapie was shown a red card during Ecuador's defeat to Mexico at the World Cup
Piero Hincapie is shown a red card during Ecuador's defeat to Mexico
Piero Hincapie is shown a red card during Ecuador's defeat to Mexico(Image: ITV)
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Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie has become the second player at the World Cup to be sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent.
The Ecuador centre-back was shown a red card after confronting Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez during their round of 32 fixture in the tournament.
Mexico went on to claim a 2-0 victory over Ecuador in Mexico City to set up a last-16 tie against either England or DR Congo, which will be played this weekend in the same stadium.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored the goals for Mexico to send them through to the next round, but it was in stoppage time that drama unfolded at the Estadio Azteca.
Hincapie could be seen approaching Gimenez and appeared to cover his mouth with his hand while he spoke to the Mexico striker.
Gimenez then immediately alerted referee Slavko Vincic, who went on to check the incident through the VAR’s pitchside monitor.
A brief check resulted in Vincic issuing Hincapie with a red card, with the Arsenal defender becoming only the second player at this year’s tournament to be sent off under the new rule.
Former Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off under the new rules at this year's World Cup, after he was shown a red card during Paraguay’s win over Turkiye during the group stages.
Hincapie’s red card has led to plenty of reaction on social media, with many fans expressing their confusion around the Arsenal defender’s actions.
One fan on X said: "Keep your hands away from your mouth!" Another added: "So stupid from Hincapie." And a third put: "When Almiron did it...you MIGHT get some grace, because the rule is new. Hincapie has 0 excuse."