Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron saw red in the World Cup after a heated exchange with Turkish defender Mert Mulder, the incident sparking a rare dismissal for covering his mouth.
The sending off was not a spontaneous act of aggression but the result of a freshly introduced FIFA regulation championed by president Gianni Infantino, who sought to curb players from hiding their mouths during confrontations.
Referee Ivan Barton brandished the card in the first half, a move that instantly drew attention across the tournament and raised questions about the rule's application.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Paraguay managed to secure a 1‑0 victory over Turkey, a result that kept their hopes of advancing alive and highlighted the team's resilience.
Coach Alfaro’s Warning
Coach Gustavo Alfaro, speaking after the match, praised the fighting spirit that emerged in Almiron's absence, while also warning that the new rule could be overly stringent and detract from the sport's flow.
Alfaro’s comments echoed a broader debate among pundits and former players, who argue that the regulation, though well‑intentioned, may undermine the natural intensity of high‑stakes matches.
Almiron later apologized to his teammates for the lapse in judgment, acknowledging that his reaction was disproportionate to the provocation he faced.
The red card also means the player will miss Paraguay’s final group‑stage encounter with Australia, a fixture that could determine their progression, and FIFA has hinted at a possible extension of the suspension into the knockout rounds.
This is not the first time Almiron has been sanctioned under the new guideline; he had already received a yellow card in the opening match against the United States for a simulated dive, marking a second caution under the same rule.
The incident adds to a growing list of high‑profile cases that have prompted former stars such as Vinícius Júnior and Tim Ream to comment on the evolving nature of disciplinary standards in international football.