VAR strips Almiron of penalty and books him for diving in World Cup first

VAR made World Cup history at SoFi Stadium on Friday night, using FIFA’s newly expanded mistaken-identity protocol to strip Paraguay captain Miguel Almiron of a penalty appeal and book him for diving instead — the first time the rule has been applied in this manner at a major competition.

The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the United States’ opening Group Stage match against Paraguay, with the hosts already leading 3-0. Almiron went to ground after minimal contact from USA defender Tim Ream, and referee Danny Makkelie immediately showed Ream a yellow card. VAR intervened, however, and Makkelie was called to the pitchside monitor. Replays showed Almiron had taken three full strides after losing possession before throwing himself theatrically to the turf, with no meaningful contact made. Makkelie rescinded the booking against Ream and issued it to Almiron for simulation.

The moment illustrated one of the most significant rule changes FIFA introduced ahead of the 2026 tournament. For the first time at a World Cup, VAR has been granted enhanced authority over specific corner-kick decisions, erroneous second yellow cards, and instances of mistaken identity — allowing officials to correct a broader range of clear and obvious errors than was previously permitted, including cases where the wrong player receives a disciplinary sanction.

The VAR intervention was a brief talking point in a match that had been comprehensively one-sided. The United States raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time in front of a raucous home crowd. The opening goal arrived in the seventh minute, with Christian Pulisic threading a pass to Weston McKennie, whose delivery was turned into his own net by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla.

Folarin Balogun then took centre stage, first having a goal correctly ruled out for offside before netting twice: a composed finish from a Pulisic assist, and then a magnificent weak-foot strike into the top corner in stoppage time. Pulisic’s assist drew him level with Clint Dempsey in fourth place in USMNT history with 21 career assists.

Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute through a slick team move, Julio Enciso threading a sublime pass to reduce the deficit, but the result was never seriously in doubt.