England head coach Thomas Tuchel believes World Cup refereeing “is just not good enough” after the dramatic last-16 win over Mexico, Yankee Scores reports.
England were down to 10 men and also had a controversial penalty given against them in a thrilling game at the Azteca Stadium.
“It’s just not good enough,” Tuchel told BBC Sport. “The referees are just not good enough; fourth officials are just not good enough. That’s the bottom line.
“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 were 2-0 up in the first half with two quickfire goals from Jude Bellingham but Julian Quinones pulled one back just before half-time.
There were two big moments however and the game came to life in the second half.
Then, Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute after a review by the video assistant referee confirmed he clearly went in on Jesus Gallardo with his studs up.
“It is a clear red card,” Darren Cann, the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee said on BBC One.
“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.”
England restored their two-goal advantage with a Kane penalty but Mexico hit back once more when they were awarded a spot-kick.
Kane looked to have clipped Brian Gutierrez and after Alireza Faghani went to the monitor to check the incident he awarded a penalty, which Raul Jimenez converted.
However, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said the referee was spot on with all his decisons.
“The referee has come to the right decision on all three.
“As soon as I saw the replays, my heart was in my mouth. Quansah deserved to go, Kane didn’t get the ball and [Anthony] Gordon got to the ball first.”
