Ghana felt frustrated after being denied what many thought was a clear penalty in their goalless draw with England in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match at Boston Stadium was refereed by Said Martinez from Honduras, with Guillermo Pacheco from Mexico acting as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Both officials faced criticism after a controversial second-half incident between Ghana substitute Prince Kwabena Adu and England defender Ezri Konsa.
As the game hung in the balance, Adu ran into the penalty area and seemed to be brought down by Konsa. Ghana’s players quickly appealed for a penalty, but Martinez let play continue. VAR official Pacheco did not suggest a review, so the match went on.
The decision left the Ghana team frustrated, and Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz openly questioned the officiating after the match.
“We had chances to win the game, and I’m not sure if VAR is still working. It was a clear penalty,” Queiroz said.
The incident put both Martinez and Pacheco at the center of debate after the match.
Martinez, 34, came to the tournament with a strong reputation in CONCACAF, having refereed Gold Cup and Nations League finals and over 160 professional games. However, this was his first match with either Ghana or England and his first time officiating an African national team.
Controversial decisions are part of football, but Ghana fans were frustrated because the call could have changed the outcome.
If the penalty had been given and scored, Ghana might have beaten England and secured a spot in the Round of 32 with one game left.
Instead, the Black Stars had to settle for a draw, so their qualification will be decided in their last Group L match against Croatia.
Although much of the focus has fallen on Martinez’s decision on the field, some have also questioned Pacheco’s role as VAR. clear and obvious errors, and for many observers, the biggest surprise was not the initial decision but the fact that the incident was not reviewed.
As Ghana prepares for a decisive clash against Croatia, debate surrounding the controversial penalty appeal and the actions of Martinez and Pacheco is likely to continue.
