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.
DeleteBut @VG they are not required to wait off the field for 1m for a severe injury. Yes, they left the field but not required to wait the 1m. Technically could have just left them on field? I’m not sure whether the new LOTG interpretation allows this?
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.
DeleteYes, I’m happy that he is calling fouls too, the bar isn’t too low either but a foul he is calling a foul whilst still trying to let some of the minor stuff go.
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
DeleteNegative marks @RAPenjoyer haha!! I joke of course, yes, I think overall it is on the lower end of the bar for YC’s at the World Cup but definitely supportable just in terms of how late he was, contact just above that ankle line but definitely going against the grain.
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.
DeleteIn all fairness to the commentators, if they had been watching all the reckless challenges (even excessive force) go unpunished then, yes it was a soft yellow. It makes it confusing for commentators, spectators and players alike when the style of foul detection at this World Cup is such a departure from the LOTG applied in every competition across the world.
DeleteSaid Martinez is pretty excellent. Authority and clear management. Well done and so proud to see refereeings like that. Good !
ReplyDeleteThe committee will be very happy with this performance. Good influence on the game too, not overly dominating the game with his whistle or constantly making it about him. I must say, both teams are playing football and not very combative which makes this an easy game to manage than previous matches.
DeletePlus 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.
ReplyDeleteI actually had to go back to the MD1 review because I forgot his performance earlier in the World Cup (probably because it was one without controversy). Scored very highly and did well in that match for his combination of use of cards and warnings.
DeleteKane 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
ReplyDeleteYes, very interesting. Already the tensions in this second half have increased a lot from the first half and missed that melee/tension point at half time break.
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteGiven his performance in his first game plus this 45’, yes but don’t forget the game isn’t over yet.
DeleteR16 minimum if he remains at this level
ReplyDeleteFitness and positioning Excellent very impressive think he can go far
ReplyDeleteFitness yes, positioning no
DeleteWhat positioning you not happy with @Itaref?
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
DeleteAgree, looked it live but on replay the contact wasn’t there. Again, probably supportable but on the lower end of YC we have seen this tournament.
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
ReplyDeleteAgree @RefereeA, @A16 and @William. GHA att missed the ball and fouled England GK. Don’t think it could have been a foul against ENG GK, I’ll be honest at this tournament play on would be the most supported action but as GK out of action, I would have gone with drop ball.
DeleteDidn’t see the restart
DeleteStarting to lose control because he 's falling for the Ghanian acting.
ReplyDeleteHes not losing control dont be dramatic, he still has the game under full order
DeleteHes not losing control dont be dramatic, he still has the game under full order
DeleteThus far, I haven’t seen any play acting, contact with the keeper (no play acting), aerial challenge leading to player needing treatment (no play acting). Up to 70’
DeleteThe drinks break would have been smart to do when the player on ground was getting treatment and doing the sub? Maybe instructed not to do it when a player getting injured?
Haven’t seen any losing control 82’
DeleteThat’s a PK for me no offside before
ReplyDeleteFull-Sequence: https://streamable.com/220ijy
DeleteAR1 making Ayroldi Geographical Offside too
DeleteI think it is no penalty based on the high bar for fouls this contact,
DeleteThis is all a moot point as it was offside.
Horrible.
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
DeleteI agree. However the same VAR ignored a similar challenge on John Mcginn and Scott McT in the Scotland game.
DeleteOffside so all this discussion a moot point.
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?
ReplyDeleteClear PK and YC
DeleteClearly offside, Ghana 11 is offside and ball is played to him before the tackle by Konsa, if 11 wasn't offside it'd be pen 100%
ReplyDeleteAhhh. I assumed he was onside. Is there a good replay showing he held his run?
DeleteI’m sorry but 11 is offside after the foul
DeleteGhana 11 is behind the keeper when Ghana 15 plays the ball with only 1 defender in between, therefore is offside AS WAS SIGNALLED BY REFEREE ON FIELD
DeleteCrn watch it again, hes offside before it too where 15 plays the ball
Delete@A16 I don’t understand your point #25 GHA is fouled and then after #11 is in the action
DeleteFirst pass is a blatant onside. Then clear penalty missed, then offside after.
DeleteI was just about to say yeah, the contact in the area occurred prior to the offside offense in the PA so why punish for offside?
DeleteYeah @VG so PK is the correct call
DeleteWell what ive said is obviously what hes given it for... I'll look again later obviously it sounds like I and team ref have misinterpreted, sounds like an error was made
DeleteWell. Saw again replays. This is VAR stuff here. Don’t understand why Villareal didn’t call Martinez to an OFR…
DeleteRestart was an IDFK for offside, so VAR must have been checked as a good call.
DeleteDiscussion on the penalty is a moot point at this stage. For me, I can see it as the GHA att initiating contact with ENG def, just going off what we have seen at this World Cup. Anytime else for me, penalty.
Clear yc missed against guehi for spa
ReplyDeleteAyew has commited numerous fouls several worthy of YC cards ,Guehi foul was nothing in comparsion
DeleteAyew has commited numerous fouls several worthy of YC cards ,Guehi foul was nothing in comparsion
DeleteAll of them should be booked
DeleteShould be the end of the tournament for this referee, really poor performance. Lots of very soft free kicks, which haven’t been given all tournament. Now a clear penalty to Ghana ignored, is the VAR official asleep?
ReplyDeleteDon't be so dramatic, hes been fine, all of you have very short-term memory clearly, up until 5 mins ago we all thought he was great
DeleteBeen saying all game soft free kicks being called not the same line as every other game
DeleteDoesn't matter hes been consistent within the game, also theres been many games with soft free kicks, he hasn't been exceptionally picky
DeleteHe hasn’t been consistent, his line has been all over the place imo
DeleteI dont agree
DeleteNever a poor performance. English refereeing isn’t the world path and model from all over the world. Be more humble.
DeleteReferee analyst hear hear
DeleteThe Ghanian have commited several dangerous aerial challenges ,which could have resulted in serious injury ,is this the way you want refereeing to go ,where serious injury is acceptable.
Delete@Referee analyst I thought he refereed it in a very english refereeing way, which is the problem
DeleteHad ghana screamed for a penalty and protested, it would be called. Only possible reason would be if VAR thought it was a foul on the counterattack. But it doesn’t matter. Still a review.
ReplyDeleteNo yellow for Mensah hugging Saka when goal side and arguable SPA in keeping with the leniency on show in this tournament. Tactical fouls have prospered so far.
ReplyDeleteDon’t like how Martinez seems to penalise every bit of aerial contact. As I type, Rashford jumps early, wins the header and the FK is given on the reaction of the Ghanaian player.
He’s a reaction based referee
DeletePutting aside the penalty claim, the way in which people on here have turned on this referee over the space of half an hour is ridiculous. He was excellent in the 1st half, perhaps the 2nd half has been slightly untidy but to slate him and his style and say hes been bad all game is rubbish
ReplyDeleteI agree. I feel voor him. He was completely let down by his VAR as well. But missing such a match deciding penalty situation usually means a referee is done. A win for Ghana would have meant that England could not win this group anymore and they would end up on the other end of the table. Big influence!
DeleteGood performance overall. At times tended
ReplyDeleteTo make life a bit difficult for himself ( easy drop ball for keeper for injured player then awards foul???) good personality body language. Positioning very good. No doubt see him again
Hope a missed KMI doesn't hamper his chances
DeleteVery good 1H. Much more challenging 2H but overall done well. Didn’t allow as much contact as referees previously but players didn’t help constantly going down theatrically.
ReplyDeletePenalty claim is a miss for me. More so VAR than referee.
Should get a R32 minimum
Never a penalty ,the referee had a clear few ,far better than the camera angles.
DeleteReally good performance overall. Potential penalty mentioned here is never expected decision in that situation. Even no one from Ghana protested.
ReplyDeleteReactionary referee ,Ghana protested they got the decision ,very poor second half
Delete1st half good ,second half poor ,Not consistent with his foul count ,allowed the Ghanians to referee the game by decision making on their reactions ,should go home after his second half performance
ReplyDeleteHow that is not a penalty!!!! Defender flying in with challenge and didn’t get the ball. Where is VAR? Sleeping
ReplyDeleteOffside apparently
DeleteGreat perfomance but it's a missed PK for Ghana. I think FIFA will send Villarreal home.
ReplyDeleteAnother huge performance from Martínez. Confident, with clear signals, accurately marking the same fouls, positioning himself well and demonstrating his authority even against English players who complained a lot! A masterclass! The same cannot be said of Villarreal's in VAR: a clear penalty not awarded at 78’ against England. When viewed from the opposite angle, it's scandalous that they didn't call Martinez, who was obstructed, to check. It was the play that could have changed the outcome of that match.
ReplyDeleteNever a penalty , absolutely no need to review ,referee in excellent position.the Ghanians who were appealing for everything didn't even react,
DeleteHow can the referee have had a masterclass when he missed a clear penalty, while being a good 40m behind play.
DeleteSorry, but after seeing some replays I definitely do not see a PK here. Refs in German TV also preferred play on, but admitted, that a OK decision on field would have been supportable. But the Play On decision was in doubt the better alternative.
ReplyDeleteAll in all with a YC missed, very good foul detection, full control of the game, very impressive communication skills, being fully respected by the players, very good physics, good body language and acceptable positioning a very convincing performance in a quite challenging match!
He is a good candidate for a late match now, at least quarter final!
PK decision on field.
Delete+1
DeleteYou don't think a player jumping off the ground into the hip and thigh of an opponent without getting any of the ball is worthy of a free kick?
Delete