Tough match for Istvan Kovacs in Slovakia » The decisions of the central player “made the coach crazy”

Ashley Davis15/11/2025

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Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10:00 / Updated Saturday, November 15, 2025 10:01

Istvan Kovacs (41 years old), one of the fittest Romanian referees, had a difficult task in the match between Slovakia and Northern Ireland (1-0), a match of the 2026 World Championship qualifiers. The “central” canceled two goals of the Slovaks and awarded a red card to a player of Northern Ireland.

At the end of the game, Michael O'Neill, the Northern Ireland coach, declared himself dissatisfied with the performance of the Romanian. He stated that the goal scored by Slovakia should also be disallowed and his player should not be sent off.

Two disallowed goals and a red card in the match refereed by Istvan Kovacs

Istvan Kovacs refereed a tense duel in the preliminaries of the 2026 World Championship. The match between Slovakia and Northern Ireland (1-0) brought many phases that put the Romanian referee in difficulty. Two goals disallowed for Slovakia and a red card awarded to a Northern Ireland player were the important refereeing decisions.

Istvan Kovacs canceled out the Slovakians' first goal in the 55th minute after Skriniar was caught offside. 10 minutes later, the referee disallowed another goal by the hosts for a handball by Strelec. The last important decision made by the “central” was in the 90+9th minute, when Daniel Ballard from Northern Ireland saw the second yellow card for a foul with the elbow and was sent off. Slovakia scored the winning goal in the 90+1 minute, setting the final score: 1-0

At the end of the game, Michael O'Neill, the Northern Ireland coach. According to sportnet.sme.sk, the coach could not help himself and commented on the decisions of the Romanian referee.

We are disappointed because we conceded a lot in the match. The Slovaks' third goal should have been disallowed, it was a clear foul on Ballard. . The first goal was offside, the lines are drawn and visible. Then on the second it was henz, another clear decision. And the third one (Slovakia's goal number) should have been canceled by the referee. The yellow card for Daniel Ballard (no player sent off) is a joke. When you look back, it's a joke.

– Michael O'Neill, Northern Ireland coach

Slovakia is level on points with Germany and keeps a chance of direct qualification. The two national teams will meet in the decisive match, in Leipzig, on November 17, from 21:45.