England-Mexico VAR calls: why Quansah saw red and both penalties stood

England’s 3-2 win over Mexico featured three decisive VAR checks: Jarell Quansah was dismissed after review, England’s penalty was upheld, and Mexico were later awarded a spot kick following an overturned no-call against Harry Kane.

The first major intervention came around the 54th minute, when referee Alireza Faghani reviewed Quansah’s challenge on Jesús Gallardo at the pitch-side monitor. The ESPN analysis, written by former referee Andy Davies, judged the red card as the right outcome because the tackle involved high contact and significant force.

Four minutes later, Anthony Gordon won a penalty after contact from Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel inside the area. VAR Nicolás Gallo Barragán checked the incident and allowed the on-field penalty decision to stand; the analysis also noted that no additional sanction for Rangel was considered necessary because Gordon’s touch had taken the ball away from goal.

The most debatable moment came around the 68th minute, when Kane tried to clear inside England’s box and made contact with Brian Gutiérrez’s boot rather than the ball. The source analysis described the final penalty award to Mexico as harsh from England’s perspective, but ultimately difficult for VAR to ignore once the replay evidence was reviewed.