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.
Delete
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 .
DeleteSo if he gets a flick on the ball then breaks a players leg is that not a foul? You're using laws of the game from 30 years ago
DeleteWithout wanting to be mean, this is a basic lack of understanding of the laws of the game. Getting the ball hasn't been a consideration since 2006. So literally two decades. Ecosse has the correct answer here.
DeleteConsiderations here are the form of the contact: uncontrolled sliding tackle, straight leg, studs on shin, excessive force. Clearest red we've seen since the leg breaker a couple of weeks ago.
A 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
DeleteNever won that….
DeleteI think some of the commenters on here forget the angle of that challenge to the referee. It's almost impossible for the referee to see the contact because of Quansah's body whereas we all have lovely, convenient replays from much better angles.
DeleteIndirect free kick on the restart kick ?
ReplyDeleteNo it was a goal kick (if you mean before the penalty)
DeleteNo I meant the kick to restart after the goal and then MEX played it and he gave an IFK to ENG, don’t know why.
DeleteMEX player who took the kick off touched the ball twice.
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!
ReplyDeleteI believe Only the Captain are purely guidelines for now, that are a competition opt in, and only become mandatory from July 2027
DeleteTurpin is the only one using them correctly
DeletePossible 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.
DeleteAgree with VG similar to Belgium's penalty
DeleteDid kane touch the ball ?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNo he didn’t. Seems a bit unlucky foul but correct PK decision.
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
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to be so "special" to notice the obvious things...
DeleteAnd now shows YC fo protest to Kane.
ReplyDeleteEasy to show that to away team,plenty mobbing by Mex players went unpunished.
+1
DeleteIt was to Guehi. But yeah, Mexico got away scott free with the same earlier.
DeleteSending a lamb to the slaughter, any ref... Would not come out unscathed after this game. The fellow who said sacrifice above, is astute
ReplyDeleteThat was me.
DeleteHowever, I also said that Mexico would win this no matter what. But that's looking shaky. But I'm okay with that. I hope England is able to pull it off today and that Belgium eliminates the US.
The "fair play" spirit that still lives in me wants all of the "host" teams gone. I'm sick of the favoritism.
I believe that as much as I believed when you said at the beginning you wouldn't watch any of the tournament in protest.
Deleteterrible call from OFR
ReplyDeleteif you are an English fan
DeleteIDK what did you see but it’s a correct call by Gallo.
DeleteMexican misses the ball, and his leg is coming down before he is hit by Kane, who had directed his leg towards the ball
DeleteIf the Senegal v Belgium one is a penalty , this also has to be one. Similar where you can empathise that the defender was ' blindsided ' but he did kick into him without touching the ball . Not terrible to me
DeleteOne of the teams getting all the calls! Must be an international conspiracy!
ReplyDeleteYC is WRONG! If there was a YC foul on Kane it is automatically downgraded to no card by PK.
ReplyDelete.. no
DeleteDissent
DeleteIt was not for Kane.
DeleteDissent to another player
DeleteAgain excellent VAR Nicolas Gallo
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThis game would have been impossible for everyone.
ReplyDeleteAfter 2022 and Porugal vs Uruguay, now Faghani is sacrificied in this match also.
Exactly... This was very much expected.
Delete+1
DeleteThat is starting to look like a nightmare for Faghani
ReplyDeleteWow what a game I can't take a breathe up to until the hydration break
ReplyDeleteI think that the ref is doing a really good job. He is not taking any crap and shows authority !
ReplyDeleteAgree. This was going to be a no win situation, especially if England went ahead.
Delete+ 1 generally he's been good in a difficult game lesser referees would've got completely mauled up
DeleteTo much dissent excelent using card
ReplyDeleteFIFA sent referees to war in this World Cup while tying one hand to their backs. Then also created new rules of engagement they are not used to on the eve of the competition.
ReplyDeleteAnd now this break is taking all the momentum away.
ReplyDeleteTerrible thing,but maybe sayiour for Faghani.
Kane cautioned for dissent yet nothing for either Gallardo or Lira for similar antics at the England penalty. A lack of consistency yet again
ReplyDeleteKane didn't get a yellow... Guéhi did.
DeleteWe can expect a lot of MEX players on the floor
ReplyDeleteAGREE!
ReplyDeleteWhy did the kick off after England's third goal change to an England kick off?
ReplyDeleteIt was given as an indirect freekick to England. The mexican player touched the ball twice (dribbled with the ball straight from kickoff).
DeleteOh ok thanks, pretty stupid of him
DeleteVery few referees could handle this match
ReplyDeleteI was just laughing thinking about if Tantashev had been put on this game. The federales might be on the field right now.
ReplyDeleteLOL.
DeleteNo more "Federales" in Mexico.
It would be Guardia Nacional
Obviusly it’s not the best performance of the tournament but I think it’s not the worst either…Average performance by Faghani.
ReplyDeleteOf course it's not the worst. Did you already forget about Tantashev?
DeleteMight just be “average” but definitely one of the more difficult matches of this tournament.
Delete@Arbiter: I think we all can agree that Tantashev’s is top 3 of the worst performances in WC history…I just said it responding a comment above.
DeleteInfantino getting an earful of homophobic chant every time Pickford kicks the ball.
ReplyDeleteContext?
Delete85 min bouth of rhe defenders holding the atacker with out intent to play the ball
ReplyDeleteI hope that the added time isn't some sort of Ivan Barton Mexico v Honduras type of excessive time.
ReplyDelete10 min
DeleteFaghani said move over Barton. I've got you beat. LOL
Delete11???
ReplyDeleteTwo OFRs and two penalties, as well as everything else. 11 seems reasonable
DeleteTrue time is +8 without Hydration Break, seems even with 2 VAR + 2 Penalties a bit exhausted. From my feeling +6 would have been more expected.
DeleteThis is an exciting, entertaining game for all involved, including neutrals. Faghani has contributed to that in a major way. 99.9% of people are enjoying this. And then there are those that are always miserable about everything.
ReplyDeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteFor as much as the English complain about it. They're pretty good at the dark arts also. LOL
Pickford is absolutely milking the clock to the best of his ability. But hey, I don't blame him.
DeleteI guess we care a little bit more about Mexico winning than we said earlier.
DeleteHuh?
DeleteIf in doubt, add 1. No possible complaints from team trailing
ReplyDeleteThe one bit of good news for Quansah is he didn't mean to hurt him, and the OFR did feature slowed down footage, so his RC ban should be suspended... (That's how it works, right?)
ReplyDeleteExactly, spot on, Sepp Blatter 2.0 just needs a call from the head of state
DeleteIf the VAR only was based on the frame by frame replay and violated the written VAR protocol then it should be.
DeleteI guess they have time before the USA game to confirm the new normal of no red card suspensions :-)
DeleteR: Don't be ridiculous. No VAR protocol was violated in the Balogun red card. I see that crap all over social media, and it is ridiculous.
DeleteIt's the ridiculous theory that the US fans are using to justify the unjustifiable.
DeleteWorse yet, a head of state should not be intervening directly with FIFA leadership. That is why each nation has a football federation.
Copied out of the protocol:
Delete"The VAR can ‘check’ the footage in normal speed and/or in slow motion but, in general, slow motion replays should only be used for facts, e.g. position of offence/player, point of contact for physical offences and handball, ball out of play (including goal/no goal); normal speed should be used for the ‘intensity’ of an offence or to decide if it was a handball offence"
So the possible Norway-England screams Marciniak…
ReplyDeleteOverall ok performance from the Australian ref Faghani
ReplyDeleteA Right Man was in the middle this game Alireza Faghani! He shows his experience tonight, full control with confidence
ReplyDeleteGood riddance!
ReplyDeleteI will gladly eat crow about me saying that England would lose no matter what. But that had more to do with the favoritism shown to the host teams and my doubts with the officiating.
But I will be one of the first one to say that Faghani did an acceptable job. With MAJOR, yes MAJOR, not minor areas for improvement.
The Red Card to England had to be spotted live by him on the pitch. But his limited physical ability is what left him in a terrible position to properly judge the tackle.
The British Prime Minister needs to be on his phone to Infantino ASAP!
ReplyDeleteThe precedent has been set by FIFA. All teams are now entitled to have their Red Cards deferred for a probationary period.
If this suspension is not also probationally suspended, then it will clearly show the double standard, Infantino’s corruption, and the Trump effect.
DeleteSo is Quansah going to play in the next match?
ReplyDeleteSince that's the new rule by FIFA :D
If Article 27 applies to all the teams equally. Yes, he should be able to play.
Delete