Comparison made to Vinicius Junior incident as Jesse Marsch left fuming after Canada denied penalty at World Cup - but was it right call by referee?

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Canada head coach Jesse Marsch had to be calmed down by one of his players as he was left fuming after his side were controversially denied a penalty in their FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 match against South Africa.

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The game was goalless when South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau challenged Richie Laryea from behind in the box late in the first half.

Several Canada players threw their arms in the air to appeal for a penalty but referee Joao Pinheiro did not point to the spot.

Canada’s Liam Millar looked shocked by the decision as he stood with his hands on his head.

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Replays showed Mudau got a slight touch on the ball as he stretched his leg in front, but then appeared to bring down Laryea. The incident was checked by the VAR but Pinheiro was not advised to look at it on the pitchside monitor.

The decision not to award a penalty split those watching.

Former referee Christina Unkel said on ITV that she thought it was a foul and compared it to the challenge made by Brazil’s Vinicius Junior when he had a goal disallowed against Scotland.

”I would prefer to see a penalty given and a VAR recommendation," Unkel said.

”There is always an argument of did that player step into the passing lane or have that movement of the leg going through? This is a good comparison to Brazil v Scotland when Vinicius Junior was called for a foul to take away a goal because he stepped into the stepping lane of the player.

”These are the ones that are up for debate. We have seen a very high threshold at this tournament with VAR not intervening and here we have seen it again. However, in my personal opinion I do think this is a foul.”

Former Everton striker Duncan Fergsuon disagreed, saying he did not think it was a penalty.

Canada boss Marsch clearly felt it should have been a penalty and appeared to be making his way to referee Pinheiro after the half-time whistle to vent his frustration.

But Marsch was directed away from the referee by Canada defender Moise Bombito, who managed to calm things down.

"He [Bombito] has done great. You just want to keep your manager away," said former England striker Dion Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Moise Bombito has done well there saying to Jesse Marsch, 'Get yourself away.' What he's so incensed about, I don't know."

The match was played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, despite Canada being co-hosts of the World Cup. They surrendered home advantage by finishing second behind Switzerland in Group B.

Marsch's side had the last word as a goal in stoppage time from Stephen Eustaquio fired them into the last 16. where they will face either Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on July 4 at 18:00 UK time.

It was the first knockout match of the tournament.

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