The drama at SoFi Stadium was electric as the US Women's team kicked off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay, and it was about to get even more thrilling – or bewildering, depending on who you ask. The US were already 3-0 up in Group D when a seismic shift changed the narrative entirely.
US veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, had been shown a yellow card by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie for a challenge on Miguel Almiron – but the drama was only just beginning. The free-kick had barely been taken before Makkelie made the unprecedented move of rescinding Ream's caution and instead slapping a yellow card on Almiron himself, who'd been deemed to have dived spectacularly.
This jaw-dropping moment marked not only the first-ever VAR intervention for 'mistaken identity' at a World Cup but also highlighted the innovative new rule introduced by FIFA specifically for the tournament. The move allowed Makkelie to change his original decision and give Almiron a yellow card instead of Ream – something that would have been impossible just months ago. As play briefly restarted before being pulled back, confusion reigned supreme.
The reaction from pundits was a mix of shock and delight. Former Everton and Wales defender Ashley Williams hailed it as "bizarre but clearly the right decision," while former England midfielder Danny Murphy welcomed any rule change that punishes diving more harshly: "Any adaptation of the rules which means diving gets more punishment is good."
On the pitch, the US team, managed by former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, were in fine form. Damian Bobadilla's own goal gave them the lead before a stunning brace from Folarin Balogun before half-time made him only the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match. Paraguay pulled one back through Brazilian-born Mauricio but substitute Giovanni Reyna sealed the win with a majestic curling shot from 20 yards, securing a jubilant start for the home side.