For the First Time in World Cup History, a Yellow Card Has Been Overturned via VAR — and the US Was Involved

2026 World Cup Match: United States vs Paraguay

According to Главком: The Group D clash between the United States and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended with a 4–1 victory for the Americans. Played overnight on June 12–13, this match marked the opening round of Group D and became historic for a groundbreaking moment: a yellow card was rescinded after a VAR review for the first time ever at a World Cup.

The game started with an early goal. In the 7th minute, Damian Bobadilla scored an own goal, putting the US ahead. Then, in the 28th minute, Folarin Balogun found the net, but his goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check. However, Balogun made up for it just three minutes later, converting a pass from Christian Pulisic. The first half ended with another Balogun strike in the 45+5th minute, sending the US into the break with a commanding 3–0 lead.

Second Half and Key Moments

The second half featured a landmark moment: early in the period, a yellow card was reviewed for the first time in World Cup history. The referee overturned the yellow card shown to Tim Ream and instead issued one to Miguel Almirón for simulation. In the 73rd minute, Paraguay pulled one back with a goal from Mauricio. But the US sealed the win in the 90+8th minute when Giovanni Reyna scored their fourth goal, making the final score 4–1.

This victory was a crucial step for the United States in their push to advance from the group stage. The use of VAR to overturn a yellow card opens up new possibilities for technology in soccer, potentially shaping future referee decisions in high-stakes matches. Adding to the intrigue in Group D, South Korea also defeated the Czech Republic in a parallel fixture, tightening the competition for the knockout rounds.

The recent match not only showcased a historic VAR moment but also set the stage for the upcoming challenges in Group D. As the USMNT gears up for their next encounter, the implications of this victory against Paraguay and the use of technology in officiating are significant. For more insights on the US team's journey, check out our coverage of their opening match against Paraguay here.