Sports
‘Mistaken Identity’ VAR Check Seen For First Time at 2026 World Cup
Football history was made during United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup on Friday night as VAR carried out a ‘Mistaken Identity’ check for the first time.
The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) secured an emphatic victory in their opening match of Group D at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The joint tournament hosts, who are managed by former Tottenham and Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino, took the lead in the seventh minute courtesy of an own goal from midfielder Damian Bobadilla.
Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who joined AS Monaco in 2023, then notched a brace before half-time to put USA 3-0 up at the interval.
Mauricio pulled a goal back for Paraguay with around 20 minutes left to play but Giovanni Reyna’s excellent late strike, deep into stoppage time, got the hosts’ World Cup campaign off to a dream start.
“It was the collective approach,” Pochettino told reporters, adding that his team benefitted from the crowd’s energy. “Amazing, they were amazing. We can do amazing things if the fans are in this way.”
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‘Mistaken Identity’ VAR Check Seen For First Time
During the second half, when the USA led 3-0, supporters and viewers alike were left puzzled when a VAR check for mistaken identity was seen for the very first time.
Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, was shown a yellow card for his challenge on Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron.
After the free-kick was taken, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was instructed to review the incident by VAR. The match official stopped play by blowing his whistle before running over to the pitch-side monitor. Realising his mistake, Makkelie overturned his decision.
The ref rescinded Ream’s yellow card and instead booked former Newcastle United star Almiron, who replays confirmed had clearly dived. Watch the incident below:
The new rule for mistaken identity – specificially requested by the legendary Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee – is one of six major rule changes introduced for the 2026 World Cup finals.
The rule states that a decision can now be changed if a player is booked or sent off, but the foul was actually committed by the opposing team.
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On this occasion, though, further confusion was sparked as the officials allowed the game to restart before stopping the action and reviewing the footage.
“They let them take the free-kick, which was bizarre but clearly the right decision,” former Wales international Ashley Williams said on BBC Sport. “It’s the first time we have seen it but fair play.”
Meanwhile, former England midfielder Danny Murphy said on commentary: “Any adaptation of the rules which means diving gets more punishment is good.”
In the same match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic went viral after taking away IShowSpeed’s microphone live on FOX Sports after the popular YouTuber said Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will win this summer’s World Cup.
Sports
Man Utd Prepare Huge Contract Offer For Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United are preparing to offer a new contract to Bruno Fernandes, according to Sportsboom, in an attempt to keep the club captain for the long-term future.
It comes as the Red Devils are trying to build their squad with the hopes of taking them to the next level, having already lined up several deals this summer.
Ederson is set to join from Atalanta, while there is interest in Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall, and more in an attempt to bolster the squad.
The return to the Champions League will play a huge part in any move, and that has come with the help of Bruno Fernandes over the past season and his record-breaking contribution.
Now, Man United look set to reward the Portuguese international.
Man United Prepare Bruno Fernandes Offer
According to the report from Sportsboom, Man United are preparing a new contract for Fernandes, with a wage in the region of £325,000-a-week set to be proposed to the club captain.
It’s claimed that Michael Carrick views the 31-year-old as the heartbeat of the team, and are keen to build the next phase of the team around the playmaker.
Fernandes has a deal until 2027 at Old Trafford, with the club holding the option of another year that could take his stay up until 2028.
There has been plenty of interest in the talisman in recent transfer windows, with links persisting over a possible move to the Saudi Pro League.
The 31-year-old has stayed up until this point, though, and looks set to stay after helping the team secure Champions League football for next season.
Last campaign, Fernandes managed to break the Premier League assist record for a single season with 21, going ahead of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne who had hit 20.
That underlines the impact of the star for Man United, and a new deal will reflect his standing in the squad and the plan to build around him for the future.
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Man United Wages Concern
A move to extend Fernandes’s contract would be a show of faith for his quality during his time at Manchester United so far, which would be well-deserved.
However, there may be some concerns surrounding the wage structure, if a deal in the range of £325,000-a-week is made for the club captain.
While the playmaker is performing well now, which would justify such a wage increase, there is no guarantee that he will continue to perform at such a level.
Man Utd Eyeing Big Move to Sign ‘Best Central Striker in the World’
Manchester United have been linked with a move for a striker this summer, who could transform the team.
Mohamed Salah is a good example, as he signed a fresh two-year deal last summer with Liverpool, but very quickly dropped off and is set to leave the club just halfway into that deal.
Marcus Rashford is another, as Man United now look to move the forward on with his massive wages, after he fell out of the club’s plans.
So, while a new contract may be well-deserved, it comes with risk at that price point.
Sports
Tottenham Ace Luka Vuskovic Agrees Personal Terms With Brighton
Tottenham’s transfer business may have taken a twist this summer, as Florian Plettenberg reports that Luka Vuskovic has agreed terms over a potential exit from the club.
The Croatian international returns to Spurs this summer following a loan spell at Hamburg, where he continued to move from strength to strength in the early phases of his career.
Vuskovic was signed as a promising centre-back when he broke through at Hadjuk Split, making his senior debut at the age of just 15 as an initial signal of his talent.
In the years since, he has enjoyed several successful loan spells, with his return to Tottenham coming at a point where he seems ready for even more game time.
However, with doubts over the potential to do that with the North London club, it appears as though a possible exit could be on the cards for the centre-back.
Luka Vuskovic Agrees Brighton Deal
As Tottenham try and transform their defensive ranks, Florian Plettenberg reports that Vuskovic could leave after agreeing personal terms with Brighton over a move.
The Seagulls recently made a £30 million bid to Spurs for the 19-year-old centre-back, as talks continue over Jan Paul van Hecke moving in the other direction this summer.
It’s claimed that Vuskovic has already held talks with Brighton and their head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, to get an idea of what his place in the team and his progression may be like, if he joins the club.
While that agreement is in place, a deal may be tough to do as Tottenham don’t intend on letting the youngster go any time soon, while other clubs are also circling a move.
That’s not to say that Spurs may not also find their own challenges in trying to keep the star, as the transfer saga looks set to continue in the background.
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Tottenham May Regret Vuskovic Exit
Tottenham face a clear battle on their hands to keep hold of Vuskovic this summer, as the defender looks for more guarantees over his playing time and development.
That is looking increasingly difficult, as Spurs may have backed themselves into a corner with the additions of Marcos Senesi and Van Hecke in the backline.
Adding that duo to an already strong squad of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin, and Kevin Danso makes it tough to see where the opportunities will be for the Croatian international.
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Even with some sales, the strength in depth is there to limit his chances. While another loan could be on the cards, there may be a desire to grow at a club in a permanent capacity.
Tottenham could end up regretting a sale for Vuskovic, which may be why they are intent on keeping the star. But whether that is in their control is unclear at this stage.
Sports
Kyle Walker Names the 11 Tuchel Should Pick For England v Croatia
Kyle Walker has named the starting XI he believes gives England the best chance of winning the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stages before facing a daunting route to the final in the knockout rounds. Following pre-tournament friendly wins against New Zealand and Costa Rica, the majority of the line-up looks set in stone.
However, there are still a few positions up for grabs ahead of Wednesday’s opener against Croatia. Walker, who played 96 games for the Three Lions, has had his say on who should fill those available slots.
Kyle Walker Makes Big Calls in His England XI
There was no doubt in his mind that Jordan Pickford should continue in between the sticks. The Everton shot-stopper’s place hasn’t been in doubt after being crucial in the last two World Cups. “What he’s done for England is completely outstanding,” Walker said.
Reece James and Nico O’Reilly appear nailed-on to be Tuchel’s starting full-backs this summer, and Walker fully agrees with that decision. Three players are in contention to play at centre-back, but Walker opted to leave Ezri Konsa out of his XI in favour of Man City duo Marc Guehi and John Stones.
He explained: “I’m going with John [Stones] and Marc [Guehi], just because of their club experience. They have the knowledge of playing together.”
In midfield, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are as good as guaranteed a place in the team, but it’s less certain who will start as the more advanced midfielder. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is pushing for a place ahead of Jude Bellingham after an impressive season.
‘He Was Lightning’ – Kyle Walker Names the Only Player Who Was Faster Than Him
Kyle Walker is one of the fastest players in Premier League history, and he thinks he’s only ever seen one player who was quicker than himself.
However, Walker would stick with his old teammate. He believes Bellingham is a ‘big player’ who always produces on the biggest stage. The defender said:
“Looking back to the Euros, we were digging in a little bit and he kept on coming up with important goals. That bicycle kick, if that doesn’t go in, we don’t make it through.
“Big players step up in big moments and I think he can deal with pressure.”
The 36-year-old also thinks Marcus Rashford should be the third attacker alongside Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane for the opening game against Croatia. Speaking in glowing terms about the Manchester United forward, he said: “Marcus is someone that I’ve had the pleasure of playing with for a number of years now. He can create something out of nothing.”
Walker on Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup Mistake
While Walker is complimentary about many of the Three Lions’ star men, he has also been vocal about the players he thinks should’ve been included in Tuchel’s squad. Man Utd’s Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were deserving of a seat on the plane.
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Details from the match, including who played, who impressed and the goal scorers, have emerged.
He told The Sun: “Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have had probably their best seasons for Manchester United in a long time and are now not at a tournament. I do think Luke Shaw, for me personally, should have been on the plane. And I do think that Harry Maguire should have been on the plane.”
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 13-06-26.
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