The United States began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay, but one of the most talked-about moments of the night came from an unprecedented VAR intervention that left players, fans and commentators baffled.
With the USA comfortably leading 3-0 in the second half at SoFi Stadium, a routine free-kick decision suddenly turned into a historic moment for football officiating.
Veteran American defender Tim Ream was initially shown a yellow card by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie after being adjudged to have fouled Paraguay captain Miguel Almiron. However, after Paraguay had already taken the free-kick, the Video Assistant Referee intervened and instructed the referee to review the incident.
Following a pitchside review, Makkelie overturned his original decision, rescinded Ream’s yellow card and instead booked Almiron for simulation after determining the former Newcastle United forward had dived.
The incident marked the first time at a FIFA World Cup that VAR has been used to correct a mistaken identity situation in this manner.
FIFA introduced several new officiating regulations ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament, including a rule allowing referees to review and reverse disciplinary decisions when a player is incorrectly punished for an offence actually committed by an opponent.
The hosts raced into an early lead through an own goal from Damian Bobadilla before striker Folarin Balogun stole the spotlight with two first-half goals. The former Arsenal academy product became only the second American player to score more than once in a World Cup match.
Paraguay briefly threatened a comeback when Brazilian-born midfielder Mauricio pulled a goal back after the interval, but any hopes of a revival were ended in spectacular fashion by substitute Giovanni Reyna.
The Borussia Dortmund playmaker curled a stunning effort into the net with the outside of his right foot in stoppage time to complete a memorable night for the co-hosts.
