Santiago Gimenez was at the centre of a controversial incident during Mexico’s round of 32 win over Ecuador overnight.
Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the second player at the World Cup to be sent off for covering his mouth, and it came during an altercation with Gimenez. The Milan striker came off the bench with his side 2-0 up at the Azteca, getting into a heated argument with his opponents.
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Hincapie hid his mouth as he spoke to Gimenez, who reacted by making it clear that the Arsenal defender had said something he didn’t want the cameras to pick up. VAR recommended the referee take a look, and he sent him off in stoppage time at the end of the second half.
Hincapie follows Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron in being a victim of FIFA’s new rule for this tournament about not covering the mouth while speaking, especially in altercations.
A red card soap opera 🟥 pic.twitter.com/jUuf9wLNDc
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 1, 2026
Aside from that, Gimenez had a quiet cameo. He completed 3/3 passes, had 11 touches, 3 carries, lost the ball 4 times, win 2/5 ground duels, 1/3 aerial duels and did not register a shot.
A potentially tasty tie against one of the pre-tournament favourites England now beckons at the Azteca next week, provided that the Three Lions are able to get past DR Congo.
Rato LOL
He has more posts in Instagram than goals this season🤑
He has more nose plasters than goals last season 😀
Sell sell sell
Probably told him he was useless…
How are we gonna be able to sell him if he doesn’t score at least one goal ?
Last time dude scored the strait of Hormuz was still open and free.
LOL.
Most of the fans who writes here are brain dead. A journalist will write a negative post about your player and all you can do is to comment negatively following the post. Have you guys seen them writing such as inter Milan players or juventus players never but they are very quick to pick on Milan players yet you alk with damage brain who are too blind to see will join in condemnation of your own players ass holes
They’re not real fans.
I am by no means a fan of gimenez but this is very true posters here find a player to bash to death for a few months and then move on to the next for a few months
Poor Gimenez. Not one goal last season. Possibly the worst striker in Serie A.
I think you all are too harsh on Santi. Once upon a time, Milan was leading Serie A, Santi was starting, Puli was thriving and nobody could score against us. Santi’s off ball work and hold up play were all quite good. His defensive work was good. His finishing was poor. However, the team played better with him on the field. I don’t think he is bad. I think he is a capable backup who could also push Ramos. He’s good at the counter pressing, which is where we are headed with Amorim. I think he stays, unless some World Cup magic causes his value to rise. Then maybe he gets sold.