French referee François Letexier, officiating his first World Cup match, enforced the new rule requiring a player to remain off the pitch for one minute if play is stopped due to injury. Caicedo fell inside his penalty area after a heavy challenge from Wilfried Singo. Unable to get up, Letexier halted play to check on him. Although Caicedo quickly tried to avoid medical intervention, the referee forced him off for one minute, leaving Ecuador with ten men.
Despite protests from Caicedo and coach Sebastián Beccacece, Letexier firmly applied the rule. Caicedo was seen anxiously waiting on the sideline before rejoining after the minute elapsed. Later, Ecuador’s Joel Ordóñez also became subject to the rule in the 84th minute.
French newspaper L’Équipe praised Letexier’s performance, noting he was appointed late after English referee Michael Oliver withdrew due to a minor injury. Letexier issued four yellow cards — three to Ivory Coast players Seko Fofana, Franck Kessié, and Ghila Doué, and one to Ecuador’s Jackson Porozo.
The match’s highlight, however, was Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victory, secured by Amad Diallo’s last-minute goal in Group E competition.