England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, criticised the standard of officiating at the FIFA World Cup after his side’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16, saying the referees and fourth officials “are just not good enough.”
England advanced to the quarter-finals despite playing the final stages with 10 men after defender Jarell Quansah was sent off, while both teams were awarded second-half penalties in a match filled with VAR interventions at the Azteca Stadium.
Speaking after the game, Tuchel questioned the officiating, particularly the decision to award Mexico a penalty.
On World Cup officiating, Tuchel said, “It’s just not good enough. The referees are just not good enough; fourth officials are just not good enough. That’s the bottom line.
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“Is this a clear and obvious error for the penalty? For sure not. They overturned a situation where he doesn’t even give a foul.”
England survive second-half drama
England established a 2-0 lead in the first half through two goals in quick succession from Jude Bellingham before Julian Quinones reduced the deficit just before halftime.
The game turned in the second half when Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute following a VAR review that showed the defender had challenged Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo with his studs raised.
Former FIFA assistant referee, Darren Cann, who officiated the 2010 World Cup final, supported the decision.
“It is a clear red card. Quansah does play the ball first, but that doesn’t matter in the laws of the game.
“He goes through, and you can clearly see the studs on the shin. The referee has no choice but to show the red card. 100% a red card.”
Despite being reduced to 10 players, England restored their two-goal advantage when Harry Kane converted a penalty.
Mexico responded again after being awarded a spot-kick when Kane clipped Brian Gutierrez. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor before awarding the penalty, which Raul Jimenez converted.
He said, “It is a penalty. Kane unfortunately does kick the Mexico player’s foot. It is a little bit similar to the [Luka] Modric kick which England got a penalty for in the first group game. Kane is unaware of the player coming in behind.”
