Paraguay beats Turkey 1-0; Almiron sent off for mouth-covering in World Cup first
Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off under a new FIFA rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths in confrontations, yet 10-man Paraguay held on to beat Turkey 1-0 and eliminate them from the World Cup.
Historic red card
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was shown a straight red card in first-half stoppage time of their Group D match against Turkey in Santa Clara, California, after he covered his mouth with his hand while speaking to Turkey's Mert Muldur. Referee Ivan Barton, from El Salvador, consulted the VAR monitor and applied a rule introduced specifically for this World Cup that makes any mouth-covering in a confrontational situation an automatic sending-off, regardless of what is said.
The rule, nicknamed the "Vini law", emerged after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt during an altercation with Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League game in February. Prestianni later admitted to homophobic remarks and received a six-match ban. FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for the change, telling Sky News in March that "If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously. There must be a presumption that he has said something he shouldn't have said."
On the pitch, Muldur immediately appealed to the officials after Almiron obscured his mouth. The VAR review was brief and Barton announced the dismissal to the crowd. There is no indication that Almiron said anything abusive.
Paraguay's early strike
Paraguay had already taken the lead after just 63 seconds. Matias Galarza intercepted the ball in Turkey's build-up and fired a 20-metre shot into the corner, stunning the crowd at Levi's Stadium. The early goal forced Turkey to chase the game from the outset, but even against 11 men they struggled to convert possession into clear chances.
Second half siege
Turkiye, trailing 1-0 at the break, had 80 percent possession across the match and a one-man advantage for the entire second half. Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and Hakan Calhanoglu led wave after wave of attacks. Mert Muldur's header struck both the crossbar and the post before bouncing clear. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill and the Paraguayan defence repelled everything Turkey threw at them, often with last-ditch blocks.
Despite seven minutes of added time, Turkey could not find an equaliser. German outlet SRF described their approach as "too unimaginative and uncreative".
- 2nd minute: Matias Galarza scores from distance to give Paraguay a 1-0 lead.
- First-half stoppage time: Miguel Almiron is shown a straight red card for covering his mouth while speaking to Mert Muldur, following a VAR review.
- Second half: Turkey dominate possession and create several chances but cannot break down Paraguay's defence.
- 90+7 minutes: Final whistle. Paraguay win 1-0 and Turkey are eliminated from the World Cup.
Group D implications
The result eliminates Turkey, who also lost their opener 0-2 to Australia. Paraguay move to three points and can reach the knockout stage by beating Australia in their final group match. The USMNT have already secured top spot in Group D. Turkey will face co-hosts USA in the final round with only pride at stake.
If you know the rules, you shouldn't do it. You've got to credit the referee and the VAR for making that decision. Not everyone would agree with it, but if those are the rules, you've got to stick by the rules.
