Online Reporter
ARSENAL defender Piero Hincapie was SENT OFF as Ecuador crashed out of the World Cup.
The South Americans suffered a 2-0 defeat to tournament co-hosts Mexico in their last-32 clash.
And the showdown ended on a sour note for Hincapie, 24, as he was given his marching orders for breaking a new Fifa rule in stoppage time.
He covered his mouth during a heated altercation with Santiago Gimenez, leading to the Mexico striker rushing to alert referee Slavko Vincic.
Following a VAR review, Hincapie became the second player at this summer’s tournament to be shown a straight red card for the offence.
Former Newcastle man Miguel Almiron was dismissed after using his hand to cover his mouth during Paraguay’s group stage win over Turkey.
Fifa slapped the winger with a one-match ban, leading to him missing the stalemate with Australia.
Almiron then returned for Paraguay’s shock penalty shootout victory over Germany earlier this week.
But the suspension Hincapie is facing will not take effect during the remainder of the World Cup after Ecuador were sent packing.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez, who rejoined Wolves last month, put Mexico in the driving seat with first-half goals.
And Ecuador could not find a response as the World Cup co-hosts stormed to victory after the contest was initially delayed thanks to a thunderstorm.
Hincapie officially joins Arsenal on a permanent basis today – after the North Londoners triggered a £34.5million option to buy at the end of his loan deal.
The former Bayer Leverkusen man made 39 appearances for the Gunners last season.
And he played a key role in Arsenal ending their wait for Premier League glory.
But Hincapie could not stop the North Londoners falling to an agonising Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
Mexico will now face England or DR Congo for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals following their win over Ecuador – Sun.
