Piero Hincapié became the second player in World Cup history to be sent off for covering his mouth. His actions with Ecuador already trailing 2-0 and staring at a round-of-32 exit baffled a journalist who likened the thought process behind the decision to dark matter in space.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié became the second player to be issued a red card at the World Cup under FIFA’s new rule that calls for a player to be sent off for covering their mouth during a confrontational exchange with an opponent.

Hincapie let his frustrations get the best of him at the end of Ecuador's loss.

Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié opened up in Quito about the red card that sent Ecuador packing from the 2026 World Cup, owning up to his mistake and sharing a lesson for La Tri and its fans.

Then defender Piero Hincapie covered his mouth, had words for Mexican forward Santi Gimenez, and was given a red card. The referee on the field needed to go to video review to confirm the call, but the decision was swift.

Ecuador's Piero Hincapie became the second player to be issued a red card at the World Cup under FIFA's new rule that calls for a player to be sent off for covering their mouth during a confrontational exchange with an opponent.

Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié became the second player to receive a red card under FIFA’s new mouth-covering rule at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being

Piero Hincapié’s World Cup ended in controversy after a VAR review led to a direct red card for covering his mouth during Ecuador’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico.

Netherlands were forced to hold on for a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Eindhoven following Denzel Dumfries' first-half red card.