The second day of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup featured the expulsion of Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almirón, who received a direct red card for covering his mouth while arguing with an opponent. Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 with ten players and maintained their chances of qualifying, while the Turks were eliminated.
The winning goal was the work of Matías Galarza in the first half. After the expulsion of Almirón in the stoppage time of that stage, Albirroja, led by Gustavo Alfaro, firmly resisted the rest of the match at the Bahía de San Francisco Stadium (Levi’s Stadium). Orlando Gil and the defense led by Gustavo Gómez were decisive in containing the Turkish attacks.
The play occurred when Almirón covered his mouth with one hand when addressing defender Mert Müldür. The Salvadoran referee Iván Barton, after consulting with the VAR, showed the direct red card.
This is the first time in this World Cup that the new provision promoted by FIFA to sanction footballers who cover their mouths during confrontations with rivals is applied. Although it is not an official name, on social networks and among fans the measure is popularly known as the “Prestianni Law” or the “Vinícius Law”.
The objective of the regulation is to prevent players from deliberately hiding their expressions during verbal confrontations on the field. FIFA considers that covering the mouth makes it difficult to identify possible insults, discriminatory expressions or unsportsmanlike language.
For this reason, the rule contemplates severe sanctions for those who resort to this gesture during a confrontation.
Reactions on social networks
The incident quickly became a trending topic on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook. The most repeated phrase was: “Did he tell you all that?”, accompanied by captures and videos of the moment. Paraguayan users and users from other countries shared humorous editions that imagined Almirón’s alleged insults, some in Guaraní.
Another recurring theme in viral content related the expulsion to Turkish soap operas. Memes circulated suggesting that Almirón had criticized Turkish productions, known as dizis, or that the Paraguayan victory seemed “a Turkish novel.” Jokes were also spread about the Guaraní language and comparisons with the case that gave rise to the arbitration rule.
Until now, neither Miguel Almirón nor the Paraguayan Football Federation had issued official statements regarding the words spoken during the incident.
With this result, Paraguay has three important points in Group D and keeps its options alive to advance to the next round. Türkiye, with two defeats, said goodbye to the tournament.