Declan Rice covered his mouth three times in England–Argentina and didn't
According to Championat.
Context
Declan Rice, one of the pillars of the England team, played a central role in the semi-final, but his controversial conduct could impact his reputation and the team's confidence. His presence on the field until the 82nd minute, without sanctions, could be seen as a relief, but it also raises questions about discipline and the need to adapt to the new rules of international football.
Why this matters
The controversy surrounding Declan Rice's conduct during the 2026 World Cup semi-final highlights the application of new disciplinary guidelines at the tournament. The referee's decision not to sanction the English player, despite clear precedents, raises questions about the consistency of decisions at critical moments, especially in a highly prestigious tournament like the 2026 World Cup.
Main conclusions
- Declan Rice covered his mouth three times in England–Argentina and didn't.
- Declan Rice covered his mouth three times during the England-Argentina semi-final at the 2026 World Cup and was not sent off, contrary to the new guidelines applied at the tournament.
- Деклан Райс трижды прикрыл рот рукой во время матча Англия — Аргентина, но не был удалён.
Declan Rice was at the center of a controversial moment during the 2026 World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, played in Atlanta. The England midfielder covered his mouth with his hand three times during periods of tension between players, but was not sanctioned by the refereeing team. The match ended with a 2-1 Albiceleste triumph, a result that earned Argentina passage to the final.
The duel took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta (United States), and was refereed by the American Ismail Elfath. According to reports from the match, the first incidents occurred in the opening moments, during a heated exchange of words between members of the two teams. At these moments, Rice approached opponents and spoke while covering his mouth with his hand, a gesture that, according to the new guidelines applied in the tournament, is subject to expulsion. Still, there was no disciplinary action by the referee, and the England international remained on the field until the 82nd minute, when he was substituted.
The divergence between the conduct envisaged in the new directives and the decision taken on the field is highlighted taking into account recent precedents at the 2026 World Cup itself. In a group stage game, Paraguayan striker Miguel Almirón was sent off against Turkey (1-0) for a similar gesture. In the round of 32 (Round of 32), Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié also received a red card in the duel with Mexico (0-2) after covering his mouth with his hand when addressing opponents and the refereeing team. These cases fueled scrutiny of the decisions taken in this semi-final between the English and Argentines.
On a sporting level, the 1-2 defeat left England out of the final, despite the effort to counter the effectiveness of the reigning world champion. Argentina, which reached the 2026 World Cup as holders of the trophy, continues to defend the crown won in Qatar. Remember that, in 2022, the Argentines beat France in the final after a 3-3 in regulation time and extra time, later prevailing on penalties.
The 2026 World Cup will be played in three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — between June 11 and July 19, in an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 games. The semi-finals take place in iconic stadiums in North America, such as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which hosted the England-Argentina match, and precede the tournament's big decider.
The episode starring Declan Rice, although it did not have a direct impact on the outcome of the score, becomes another point of analysis on the application of the new disciplinary guidelines at the 2026 World Cup. Between the precedent created by the cases of Miguel Almirón and Piero Hincapié and the decision taken in this match, the discussion persists about the consistency of criteria in tense situations, especially when players try to hide their lip reading by covering their mouths during confrontations or conversations with opponents and referees. For now, here's a note: in Atlanta, Rice was not sent off and the game continued without sanction for the England international, unlike what happened in other matches in the competition.
What happens next
With Argentina advancing to the final, England will have to reflect on their team's performance and tactical decisions for the future. The performance of Rice, who was not sent off, could influence the way the team prepares for the next challenges, including qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and building a competitive team.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the England vs Argentina game in the 2026 World Cup semi-final?
Argentina beat England 2-1.
What impact does the result have on the 2026 World Cup table?
Argentina's victory guaranteed their passage to the 2026 World Cup final.
Who was the referee of the England vs Argentina game?
The referee was
Ismail Elfath, from the United States.
When is Argentina's next game at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina will play in the 2026 World Cup final, but the exact date of the next game was not mentioned in the article.
What happened to Declan Rice during the game?
Declan Rice covered his mouth with his hand three times but was not sent off during the match.