Paraguay is heading for a resounding victory against Turkey.
But the task became much more difficult at the end of the first half.
Miguel Almirón has been sent off – for covering his mouth.
It only took a little over a minute before Paraguay, through left winger Matías Galarza, took the lead against Turkey. The goal means that the Turks – if the result were to stand – are eliminated from the WC already after two games, and the pressure on them was felt during the first half.
On several occasions there was irritation between the teams, where Turkey in particular had views on how the Paraguayan players behaved.
During a short break, where Paraguay’s striker Isidro Pitta got hurt, the Turkish players suddenly started making the now well-known “VAR sign”. What they signaled for was unclear at first – but on the replay it became clear.
Breached the new rule
When referee Iván Barton took to the screen, he saw Paraguay’s star midfielder Miguel Almirón covering his mouth as he spoke to a Turkish player.
He shouldn’t have done that.
Covering your mouth when talking to opponents is forbidden – one rule that was introduced to this particular World Cup – and leads to a direct red card. Almirón thus became the first player ever to be sent out for the measure.
The rule change became relevant after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of having expressed himself racist against Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior in last season’s Champions League.
The match is in progress – the text is updated!
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