Mark Allen Overcomes Food Poisoning, Beats Mark Williams 6-2 at Masters Snooker 2026

Alexandra Palace, London 2026. The atmosphere was charged, as it always is at the Masters, but for Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, the stakes felt even higher. Battling not just a formidable opponent in three-time world champion Mark Williams, but also a hidden adversary: food poisoning that had plagued him for a week. Yet, in a display of sheer resilience and skill, Allen emerged victorious, securing a 6-2 win and a spot in the quarter-finals.

The match, a highly anticipated clash between two former Masters winners, was anything but straightforward. Fans and pundits alike had braced themselves for a tight contest, a prediction that seemed to hold true in the early frames. As BBC Sport reported, the scoreboard initially reflected a fierce back-and-forth, with the players locked at 2-2 at the mid-session interval. It was a testament to both players’ tenacity, but particularly Allen’s, who, despite his undisclosed health struggles, managed to take the opening frame with a solid break of 67.

Early Fouls and Shifting Momentum

The early exchanges were a microcosm of the match’s underlying tension. Allen started strong, taking the first frame, but Williams, a seasoned campaigner, quickly found his rhythm. The second frame saw a lengthy safety exchange, a hallmark of high-quality snooker, before Williams leveled the score. The third frame, however, presented a challenge for Allen, who racked up five fouls. This allowed Williams to build a commanding lead, ultimately taking the frame and moving 2-1 ahead. Fans like Guy from Aberdeen, commenting on the BBC Sport live blog, noted, ‘Mark Allen must keep his head – early fouls not indicative of a strong tournament.’

Indeed, Allen’s body language at times betrayed his frustration. A ‘rueful shake of the head’ after running out of position on a 54-break in the fourth frame underscored the mental battle. Yet, he dug deep, showcasing the grit that has defined his career. He managed to regain control in that pivotal fourth frame, taking it with a 54-break and leveling the scores at 2-2 as they headed into the interval. This was a crucial turning point, preventing Williams from establishing a significant lead.

Table Troubles and a Champion’s Resolve

Adding another layer to the drama was a controversy surrounding the table conditions. On the previous day, a pink ball rolled suspiciously along the top cushion during Wu Yize’s match against Shaun Murphy, prompting six-time world champion Steve Davis to voice strong criticism. Davis suggested the table might not be level, a concern echoed by some fans. However, World Snooker Tour issued a statement affirming that ‘The table is checked before, during and after every match.’ During the Williams-Allen match, a similar situation arose with a red ball, but this time, it did not successfully hug the cushion. Former world champion Ken Doherty, on commentary, confidently declared, ‘The table fitters have fixed the problem.’ This swift resolution ensured that the focus remained squarely on the players’ skills, rather than external factors.

The second half of the match saw Allen truly hit his stride, despite his ongoing health battle. He began to pull away, exhibiting the kind of form that makes him a formidable opponent. A key moment arrived with his 687th career century break, a significant milestone that also marked the first time either player had held a two-frame lead in the match. This break pushed him to 5-2, putting immense pressure on Williams, who, according to Express Sport, was ‘under-par throughout’. The Welshman’s grimace after missing a long blue confirmed his frustration and the shifting tide of the match.

The Final Push and a Quarter-Final Berth

Allen’s momentum was unstoppable. He completed his victory with a commanding break of 70, sealing the match 6-2. The revelation of his food poisoning struggle only came after the win, when he spoke to Rob Walker, adding a heroic dimension to his performance. This context illuminated the comments from fans like Shona from Scotland, who, before knowing of Allen’s illness, felt the ‘paying audience deserve better than this especially from a player of Mark’s calibre.’ With this victory, Mark Allen eliminated the third world champion in three matches at this year’s Masters, following the earlier exits of Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby at the hands of Chinese players Wu Yize and Xiao Guodong, respectively.

The win sets up a quarter-final clash for Allen on Thursday, a well-deserved advancement for a player who demonstrated remarkable fortitude. The match also carried a historical note, being the first time Mark Williams and Mark Allen had met in a Triple Crown event in 15 years, a fact highlighted by World Snooker Tour on social media. While Mark Williams, at 51, remains one of the game’s greats, as noted by Jack from Oswaldtwistle, it was Allen’s day to shine. Karl from Essex had presciently hoped Allen would ‘turn the screw and get over the line here,’ a wish that ultimately came true.

Mark Allen’s victory at the 2026 Masters transcends a mere snooker match; it’s a compelling narrative of perseverance against adversity. His ability to perform at such a high level while battling food poisoning not only underscores his elite mental and physical toughness but also elevates the significance of his win, positioning him as a serious contender for the Masters title.