Mexico and England meet in a classic WC game. Alireza Faghani will be in the middle at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Match #92
Round of 16
6 July 2026, 02:00 CET
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
MEXICO - ENGLAND
Referee: Alireza Faghani IRN/AUS
Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis AUS
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay AUS
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed MAR
Reserve AR: Zakaria Brinsi MAR
Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo COL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Juan Lara CHI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Juan Soto VEN
The meteorologist side of me is laughing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting both teams didn’t want to delay the game when this was clearly going to be result.
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ReplyDeleteThe Mexico vs. England match is currently under a shelter-in-place order at Estadio Azteca due to severe thunderstorms, making a kickoff delay highly likely. While the official start time remains 6:00 PM local time, pitch access is prohibited.
Bbc reporting at least a 1 hr delay.
DeleteAlireza Faghani produced a masterclass in staying out of the spotlight during the first 45 minutes, giving Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and England's King Charles III no reason yet to intervene with Gianni Infantino.
ReplyDeleteHilarious comment!!! Love it
DeleteHahaha!! Something tells me they don’t have the same pull as some other heads of state ;)
DeleteCan't wait for this one the delay much to my difficult to keep staying up and it's great that the action is finally upon us
ReplyDeleteSome balls to already give a yellow card
ReplyDeleteFor what is, arguably, the Mexican player creating the dangerous situation.
DeleteCan’t do anything else but give YC…
ReplyDeleteGood YC
ReplyDeleteFirst YC in just 2 min in the game and very correct one high boot
ReplyDeleteCorrect first YC in first minute
ReplyDeleteAnd unsurprisingly, right off the bat, the homophobic chant has made itself present.
ReplyDeleteI thought FIFA had threatened sanctions for that
ReplyDeleteFIFA, as we well know, is all bark and no bite.
DeleteKind of like their slogan, "Football Unites Us".
Yet they allow a host country (USA) to openly racially profile and discriminate against certain groups of people.
Very physical MEX it will be intense game for the referee
ReplyDeleteI reckon they may opt for the Paraguay approach. If they do, lets see if this AFC referee is up to the task.
DeleteBelieve me, he has the experience and nous to deal with it.
DeleteOn a ball into touch for Mexico, the referee would have served himself well by having the player move back the 10 yards he walked upheld. Not a big issue, but to show some mettle to MEX
ReplyDeleteHow fitting. Infantino is the stadium is all smiles no matter what the Mexico fans yells. The man is truly despicable.
ReplyDelete*upfield
ReplyDeleteFIFA has been corrupt forever. Qatar getting the WC to be played in the summer and the moving it to winter?
ReplyDeleteMissed corner
ReplyDeleteUnless he's deaf. Infantino has a front row seat to soak in the homophobic chant.
ReplyDeleteMexico looks to be going the Paraguay route. Overly physical and constant complaining.
Dissent from mex player and fighani runing behind the player to give warning 19 min
ReplyDelete22 min feghani interfer with play bad placement
ReplyDeleteFaghani’s heated confrontation with a Mexican player.
ReplyDeleteSo far decisions have looked good overall and Faghani is showing personality in his management. Excellent first YC also.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteLooked a great advantage from Faghani before the 2nd goal
ReplyDeleteNo advantage was given. He just didn’t see the foul.
DeleteFaghani better be ready for dirty Paraguayan-level play by Mexico once they get blown out
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteMexico have literally looked the better side - Pickford keeping us in it
DeleteTotal miss of MEX push in back
ReplyDeleteSome of the foul detection has seemed random. Missed ENG FK for foul on Saka there
ReplyDeleteThe foul which was awarded for the Mexico FK, letting the goal for MEX happen, was never a foul. Changed the game entirely now
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteAn excellent performance by Faghani in a very intense match.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of fouls. No. But managing the important personalities, yes. That’s why it goes well.
DeleteApart from the phantom foul before the Mexican goal
DeleteAgree with VG, there was a strong foul on Bellingham near the technical areas, the Saka foul, and then the softness of the contact for the foul before the Mexico goal. Management is fine, but foul detection is only okay at best
DeleteA brilliant performance from the referee from Australia at halftime, the best performance from non -UEFA ref I have seen live at this World Cup, Faghani was that good can't wait for the second half
ReplyDeleteBias to England declared. Good overall performance from Faghani , challenging game in terms of both intensity , positioning and managing big personalities. No obvious errors - good temperament and man management skills. Could've had a closer look at the foul given leading up to Mex's goal but if he keeps up this standard definitely a contender for the final.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of thoughts on performance or suitability, I don't see him having both the expanded CWC Final last year, and this one
DeleteBrilliant is a massive overstatement
DeleteExcellent yellow after 1 minute - rice deserved it, then after setting the levels he then produces 4( minutes of a master class in chasing players and managing them I. A strong way ! Loved it … old school …. World.cup final elect mark my words !!!
ReplyDeleteAt least YC missed 52’
ReplyDelete*SFP
DeleteOFR and clear red card
ReplyDeletehopefully yes
DeleteClear sfp missed in fiel no foul even
ReplyDeleteMissed RC over the ball. Not brilliant!
ReplyDeleteOFR for a RC correct by VAR
ReplyDeleteAnd bad announcement followed after review
DeleteHuge miss call live, great intervention by VAR, clear RC
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteFinally VAR is working how it supposed to
ReplyDeleteI take that back. No way is that a red - got ALL of the ball - was he supposed to amputate his leg midway ? Absolutely ridiculous
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that Sarish thinks a completely correct decision is wrong. Shocked I tell you
DeleteI think it's absolutely harsh because he got ALL of the ball . Can you tell me if you don't think he got the ball or if you think it doesn't matter if a defender plays the ball - any contact of that nature is a red ?
DeleteHe didn’t “get all of the ball” not that it matters.
DeleteHe went over the ball during an airborne lunge straight into a shin with studs. Tough, cuz a yellow live might not see a review, but once Faghani gets called over he has to go red.
The ball is irrelevant in the modern game if the follow through is dangerous. That's been the case for at least 20 years.
DeleteHe also does not get "all of the ball". The bottom of his calf bounces off the ball as then follows through on the Mexican player. There is actually only a very small play on the ball. Even if he took the ball fully it is a a clear red card.
The fact that the English pundits on BBC have no complaints should tell it's own story
SARISH
DeleteThe England player got NONE of the ball. If he gets all of the ball as you say. The ball DOES NOT end up under his raised straight leg. If he gets all ball, the ball would have been pushed out wide towards the touchline.
I don't agree that he doesn't get the ball . But if you're saying that even playing the ball doesn't matter - as long as the follow through is dangeous then fair enough - but that's a bizzare state of the law .
DeleteA lot of heat now
ReplyDeleteEasy for the VAR, clearly SFP. The benches response was unacceptable and ignored, however. This has the feeling of heating up. The R16 matches have been really heated this tournament
ReplyDeleteCan’t miss the sfp here. Not even a foul or YC makes it much worse..
ReplyDeleteRC Easy call by VAR Nicolas Gallo
ReplyDeleteMEX 10 shouting at player on ground - YC. He is losing control.
ReplyDeleteClear PK correct decision by the ref no hesitation spot on
ReplyDeleteHandball before the faoul mybe app
ReplyDeleteNever handball.
DeleteIs this SFP? I don't see excessive force.
ReplyDeleteFinally someone . I'm going to be called a hooligan for a different opinion
DeleteThere was a lot of speed and intensity in the tackle. That creates the force, rather than the foot being planted in. The OFR was needed
DeleteBrother, you can't plant your studs that high on an opposing player's shin. That's the textbook definition of endangering the safety of a player.
DeleteLunging challenge, whole body off the ground. Unlucky that his leg got over the ball but absolute red card.
DeleteMate be serious, look how far he comes from with enormous speed = tremendous force
DeleteNo Handball from Kane ?
ReplyDeleteYep neutral position
DeleteUnfortunately that isn't "playing the ball" - definitely a red card
ReplyDeleteHis follow through had studs showing but he definitely got the ball
DeleteNot deliberately handball, didn't lead direct to goal, not punishable
ReplyDeletePenalty clear. Ball going away from goal so not Dogso, penalty only correct. And ball is headed onto the top of a completely natural arm position, never handball
ReplyDeleteAll of these referees show absolutely ZERO authority any time there is a PK whistled.
ReplyDeleteThe players do as they please and there is ZERO reaction from the referees.
+1
Delete100% true
DeleteYep, need to bring out the yellow card and point it to, then start booking players if they don't get out of the box.
DeleteTwo big decisions for Faghani
ReplyDeleteClear dissent continually unpunished at this tournament, it’s not a good look
ReplyDeletePenalty seems very clear. Do we know why a yellow card for the stopping of promising attack was not given? It feels like a clear downgrade from the denial of goal scoring opportunty, given goalkeeper attempted to play the ball
ReplyDeleteGoing away from the goal and other opponents there. Not DOGSO.
DeleteDirection of play not met. Balls heading toward the corner of the penalty area. Close, but easy to defend from the considerations
DeleteBoth correct decisions. The RC is one that referee's often fail to give in real time due to the player winning the ball first then committing the RC offense
ReplyDeleteSo he won the ball?
DeleteIt's understandable why not initially given. I also don't understand the how did he not give either just a foul or YC at least at first. It either looked fine live, or you noticed the SFP nature of it. I don't think it's possible to see it as inbetween. Clearly right in the end
DeleteGive it a rest Sarish. You are currently the only person on planet earth except Stevie Wonder who thinks that's not a red card. The ball is irrelevant. Read the many comments explaining why
DeleteIndirect free kick on the restart kick ?
ReplyDeleteNo it was a goal kick (if you mean before the penalty)
DeleteThis match feels like a sacrifice of Faghani—my God, what is this?
ReplyDeleteAnybody have a clip of the red card and penalty?
ReplyDeleteOnly the captain can speak to the referee! My God! Collina creates new rules but doesnt use them! Sorry for young referees to look at this WC and for everyone else. Tomorrow FIFA will change the result in some matches!
ReplyDeletePossible penalty, Kane kicks the player and no ball played
ReplyDeleteYep,similar to when England got penalty for Modric kicking the player.
DeleteNo, this is like Belgium’s penalty. Attacker just put his leg in front.
DeleteDid kane touch the ball ?
ReplyDeleteno he is not
DeleteAnother OFR final decision PK and good announcement
ReplyDeleteSo now it all depends on var.
ReplyDeletePlenty var's would not even say that was a penalty.
From now on its a movie night with faghiani😆
ReplyDeleteSuddenly the game turned into a nightmare for Faghani...
ReplyDeleteNicolas Gallo surely VAR in the final
ReplyDelete