A historic moment was recorded during the match between the USA and Paraguay in the World Cup.
For the first time, the VAR system intervened to apply a new rule, that of mistaken identity.
This is the norm that allows the referee to reverse his decision to give a card and correct it.
Almiron dived and was awarded a free kick and Tim Ream was booked for a foul.
— AB⚕ (@AbsoluteBruno) June 13, 2026
Then, VAR stepped in for a "MISTAKEN IDENTITY" check
And VAR overturned Ream's yellow card, and transferred the yellow card to Almiron???????????? pic.twitter.com/3htmEUzhYq https://t.co/ZKYK4SpWEO
Dutch referee Makkelie had sanctioned American Tim Ream with a yellow card for a foul on Miguel Almiron.
After the penalty, the referees in the VAR room asked the field referee to stand in front of the monitor, showing images of the episode.
These images showed how the Paraguayan had exaggerated his contact and this is where Makkelie's decision came to punish Almiron himself with a yellow card for simulation, taking it away from the US national team defender.