England - Ghana will be the second game for Honduran referee Said Martinez.
Match #45
Group L
23 June 2026, 22:00 CET
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
ENGLAND - GHANA
Referee: Said Martinez HON
Assistant Referee 1: Walter Lopez HON
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Ramirez HON
Fourth Official: Ma Ning CHN
Reserve AR: Zhou Fei CHN
Video Assistant Referee: Armando Villarreal USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Erick Miranda MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :Abdullah Alshehri KSA
Martinez has been very impressive so far
ReplyDeleteWhat’s the deal with the referees not following the 1 minute law for injuries? He told both players to leave for the head injuries but let them immediately after the restart.
ReplyDeleteMust be guidelines when one from each team!
DeleteNo, there is an exception for serious injuries. Head injuries could be counted as such per default.
DeleteRead the laws VG
DeleteShow the law that says head injuries are not included ”RAP”.
DeleteIf you leave the field of play for an injury you MUST wait 1 minute.
DeleteOff-field treatment and assessment protocol
Delete"A player is not required to leave the field of play for one minute when: [...]
there is an injury for which Law 5 permits a player to be treated on the field of play: [...]
a severe injury has occurred, especially a head injury (e.g. concussion), cardiac issue or life-threatening event (e.g. seizure, choking etc.)"
And the referee REQUIRED both to leave. So the law applies.
DeleteSound so far. Showing good levels of personality. Able to switch easily and looks relaxed. Which the players are responding to
ReplyDeleteIs this for real? Can we now completely ignore the rules of the game and allow the play to continue showing advantage after whistling for a freekick?
ReplyDeleteDidn’t whistle. Held back but know what you mean
DeleteGreat communicator , fantastic start to the game
ReplyDeleteHe’s actually calling fouls… Love it
ReplyDeleteWonder what the committee will think
DeleteIt’s definitely against the grain. I’ve always liked Said Martinez so I hope the opinion of the committee is a good one. It’s only the first half though so we will see.
DeleteCorrect YC
ReplyDeleteIncredible. I’m shocked. A yellow card for reckless for stepping on the foot in this World Cup? What will the committee think? Haha
DeleteClip YC 41': https://streamable.com/63jpyv
DeleteYes, good and correct caution!
ReplyDeleteGreat decision by Martinez, slight hesitation, maybe getting info from AR1?
DeleteEnglish commentators don’t think that’s a yellow 😂 what chance do you have!!
ReplyDeleteCorrect and perfect caution.
DeleteThey admitted it was correct after seeing the tight angle replay.
DeleteSaid Martinez is pretty excellent. Authority and clear management. Well done and so proud to see refereeings like that. Good !
ReplyDeletePlus his positioning. He's been in both top corners of the PA, because play required it.
ReplyDeleteVery good 1H. Straight forward YC on 41’.
ReplyDeleteAny reason why he didn’t use the injury stoppage in 22’ for the hydration break? Some suggesting it didn’t align with the ad breaks :)
Commercial agreements and money, almost certainly. If it was a simple drinks/cooling break without ads, then I'm sure he would have
DeleteModel performance by hondurian referee. One of my best referees so and on top 5 list to go at finals matches.
ReplyDeleteKane approaching Martinez with a finger wag, and some confrontation after the halftime whistle
ReplyDeleteExcellent first half, but we see tensions after half time whistle so maybe indication that second half will be more demanding
ReplyDeleteI would say expected level, but given what we've seen elsewhere, I'd say rather good in a fairly straightforward half. A style of refereeing that felt like the English would be used to, a more regular foul line, correct YC for the step of foot. Rather good so far
ReplyDeleteOpuku should be YC as he left the pitch
ReplyDeleteHes a fantastic referee... id certainly have him down for a R32/R16 game and have him in consideration for something beyond that
ReplyDeleteR16 minimum if he remains at this level
ReplyDeleteFitness and positioning Excellent very impressive think he can go far
ReplyDeleteFitness yes, positioning no
DeleteHow many fouls is Ayew going to commit before he gets a YC ,must be getting towards 20 by now.
ReplyDeleteNot sure that was a foul tbh, not sure also about the YC
ReplyDeleteLooked more intense in live. Foul is fine, probably doesn’t warrant a yellow
DeleteClip Replay: https://streamable.com/haj747
DeleteAbsolutely excellent positioning by martinez for the foul. When England players asked for a card he very clearly told them to go away they instantly accepted his decision
ReplyDeleteYet he didn't card the ghanian who waved a card and applauded when Rice was YC ,Poor refereeing
DeleteFoul on goalkeeper ok. Well judged by Martinez.
ReplyDeleteGood decision for foul on ENG GK i think
ReplyDeleteSafe and sensible decision with foul on GK. Could have went either way and would have been supported
ReplyDeleteStarting to lose control because he 's falling for the Ghanian acting.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a PK for me no offside before
ReplyDeleteHorrible.
ReplyDeleteSCANDAL! Messi was awarded a penalty yesterday for the exact same foul. Yet another stain on the refereeing reputation during this tournament
ReplyDeleteClear contact on knee/thigh and does not play the ball. Unbelievably high bar for PK reviews.
ReplyDeleteWe need to stop talking about those guidelines sometimes, this is a clear and obvious mistake clear foul there and VAR should have recommend an OFR
DeleteHow this not a penalty ?
ReplyDeleteClear pen missed. Scandal by fifa protecting larger nations.
ReplyDeleteIt’s got to be a penalty there. I’m genuinely shocked at how that wasn’t called or reviewed.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming cleared for not clear and obvious error..... although I don't see a touch on the ball by the defender. Initial thought was penalty and caution for dogso play on the ball. Thoughts?
ReplyDelete