Santiago Gimenez was at the centre of a controversial incident during Mexico’s round of 32 win over Ecuador overnight.
Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the second player at the World Cup to be sent off for covering his mouth, and it came during an altercation with Gimenez. The Milan striker came off the bench with his side 2-0 up at the Azteca, getting into a heated argument with his opponents.
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Hincapie hid his mouth as he spoke to Gimenez, who reacted by making it clear that the Arsenal defender had said something he didn’t want the cameras to pick up. VAR recommended the referee take a look, and he sent him off in stoppage time at the end of the second half.
Hincapie follows Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron in being a victim of FIFA’s new rule for this tournament about not covering the mouth while speaking, especially in altercations.
A red card soap opera 🟥 pic.twitter.com/jUuf9wLNDc
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Aside from that, Gimenez had a quiet cameo. He completed 3/3 passes, had 11 touches, 3 carries, lost the ball 4 times, win 2/5 ground duels, 1/3 aerial duels and did not register a shot.
A potentially tasty tie against one of the pre-tournament favourites England now beckons at the Azteca next week, provided that the Three Lions are able to get past DR Congo.