Jesse Marsch slams officiating in Mexico vs. Canada Nations League semifinal: 'It was an unforgivable penalty that the referee didn't call'

Canada manager Jesse Marsch couldn't hide his frustration with the referee after his team's elimination in the Nations League semifinals following their 2-0 defeat to Mexico.

The match's biggest controversy came in the ninth minute when Edson Álvarez appeared to foul Derek Cornelius inside the box. Cornelius had gained position and touched the ball before the Mexican midfielder. Despite the clear contact, VAR chose not to call the foul, and play continued.

After Canada's elimination, Marsch spoke about the decision: "When you touch the ball first and then get kicked, it's a foul - no discussion. You can debate whether it's a penalty or not, but it was an unforgivable play that the referee let go."

In a painful defeat that included refereeing controversy, Canada were eliminated by Mexico in the Nations League semifinals. Marsch criticized the performance of Honduran referee Said Martínez, as well as the attitude of El Tri players, who, according to the Reds' coach, "constantly tried to go down, pretending to be fouled." Marsch emphasized that his team needs to learn how to handle such situations. Canada failed to reach the final of the tournament and will have to wait to secure their first Nations League title.

"There is this cultural aspect of Mexican football where they look to go down easily and manage to get yellow cards. They know how to handle certain moments of the game, and that gives them an advantage," Marsch said. "Even Edson Álvarez, after the kick, went down to the ground."

Canada will face the United States this Sunday in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place match. The Reds will also have several exhibitions planned ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with confirmed friendlies in 2025 against Ukraine, Ivory Coast, Romania, and Wales.