Piero Hincapie was sent off for covering his mouth in a conversation with a Mexico player at the end of Ecuador’s last-32 defeat on Tuesday night.
The Arsenal defender, a key player for his national team, lost his composure in second-half stoppage time when speaking to Mexico’s Santiago Giménez.
Hincapie covered his mouth in conversation, which under a new rule for the World Cup, is an automatic red card. After VAR review, the referee confirmed the decision to the crowd at the Azteca Stadium.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was the first player to fall victim to the new rule when he was sent off against Turkey, resulting in a one-game suspension.
Regardless of Hincapie’s dismissal, Ecuador were outclassed by the co-hosts on Tuesday night after a first-half onslaught.
Julian Quinones scored a belting 22nd-minute opener before teeing up Ralul Jimenez to make it two in the 31st minute amid a boisterous atmosphere in Mexico City.
It means Mexico win their first knockout match in 40 years and will face either England or DR Congo in the last-16, back at the Azteca, on Sunday night.
