The Socceroos‘ chances of advancing at the FIFA World Cup have been given a massive boost after Paraguay player Miguel Almiron was sent off in their clash with Turkiye on Friday night (local time). The Socceroos suffered a 2-0 loss to USA in the first game of the day, leaving them on three points ahead of their final group game.
Their third and final group game is against Paraguay next Friday, and both will be fighting for a spot in the next round when they collide. But the Socceroos’ hopes received a major boost in the Paraguay and Turkiye game when Almiron was shown a red card.
Miguel Almirón is now banned from Paraguay’s clash with the Socceroos. Image: Getty
Under tournament rules, players are automatically suspended for the following game if they receive a red card. It means Paraguay will be missing one of their key players against Australia, which will hamper their chances and boost the Socceroos.
Paraguay player caught out by new rule at World Cup
Almiron fell foul of a new rule for this World Cup that made it illegal for players to cover their mouths during a confrontational situation. In a bid to stamp out derogatory language, FIFA made it illegal for players to cover their mouths with their hands or jerseys while speaking to opponents.
FIFA has stated: “At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.”
The rule was introduced after Argentinian player Gianluca Prestianni verbally abused Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior while covering his mouth during a game between Benfica and Real Madrid in the Champions League. Prestianni was hit with a six-game suspension, which includes the World Cup.
Miguel Almiron leaves the pitch after receiving a red card in Paraguay’s game against Turkiye at the World Cup.
(Soccrates Images)
Almiron covered his mouth with his hand while talking to a Turkish opponent, which was picked up when the referee asked for a VAR check. Almiron was subsequently given a red card and banned from the Socceroos game.
Speaking on the SBS coverage, former Socceroos player Tommy Oar said it was “great news” for Australia. Another pundit on the panel stated: “There’s only one reason you’d cover your mouth and that’s to say something derogatory.”
Former Ireland player Clinton Morrison said on BBC: “He knows the rules, he shouldn’t have done it. And the fact he removed his hand so fast after he did, I think he knew what he had done.”
The Socceroos will advance to the knockout stages if they finish in the top two of their group. However they can still progress as the third-place finisher depending on other results from different groups.
“We know we’ve still got a good chance to get through,” Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said. “It’s in our hands.”
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