The United States opened their World Cup campaign with a fine win – but not before a sequence of events that left everyone inside SoFi Stadium scratching their heads as the video assistant referee (VAR) made history.<\/p>\n
The co-hosts were comfortably leading Paraguay 3-0 when confusion reigned in the Group D game.<\/p>\n
Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, conceded a free-kick and was shown a yellow card for his ‘challenge’ on Miguel Almiron.<\/p>\n
After the free-kick was taken, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the screen by the VAR and overturned his decision – something officials have not previously been allowed to do.<\/p>\n
After rescinding Ream’s caution, Makkelie instead booked former Newcastle United forward Almiron, who had clearly dived.<\/p>\n
It is the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity at the World Cup, even if it perhaps was not used in the way most expected it to be.<\/p>\n
Fifa has introduced of a number of rule changes for the tournament, with Pierluigi Collina, the head of referees, requesting one specifically for mistaken identity.<\/p>\n
The rule states that if a player is booked or sent off – but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team – the decision can be changed.<\/p>\n
Another new law is second yellow cards leading to a red card can be reviewed, but not first yellow cards. The only reason referee Makkelie was able to rescind the decision was by using the mistaken identity law.<\/p>\n
The officials allowed the game to restart before stopping, which also confused fans as normally once the game resumes it cannot be pulled back.<\/p>\n
Former Everton and Wales defender Ashley Williams, speaking to BBC Sport, added: “They let them take the free-kick, which was bizarre but clearly the right decision. <\/p>\n
“It’s the first time we have seen it but fair play.”<\/p>\n
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy, who was co-commentating for BBC Sport, added: “Any adaptation of the rules which means diving gets more punishment is good.”<\/p>\n