The USA dominated Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium on Friday, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice. A Damian Bobadilla own goal gave the hosts an early lead, followed by Balogun doubling the advantage. The USA led 3-0 at half-time before Paraguay scored a consolation goal. Balogun's two-goal haul made him only the second USA player to score more than once in a World Cup match.
The most significant moment came when VAR made World Cup history by overturning a yellow card. Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38—the oldest player to appear for the USA at a World Cup—was initially shown yellow for a challenge on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron. After the free kick was taken, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie reviewed the incident and rescinded Ream's caution, instead booking Almiron for diving. This was the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity at a World Cup.
FIFA introduced the mistaken identity rule specifically for this tournament on the request of referees chief Pierluigi Collina. It allows officials to overturn a booking or red card if the foul was actually committed by the opposing player. Makkelie's decision drew approval from former Wales defender Ashley Williams, who told BBC Sport the ruling was "clearly the right decision."
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