India, June 13 -- USA launched their World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 to underline that the hosts cannot be overlooked in this edition. However, the biggest talking point was a rare VAR intervention that left many fans puzzled, as few were familiar with the rule involved. It marked the first-ever World Cup VAR correction for mistaken identity, a regulation recently introduced by FIFA for the tournament.

The incident occurred with the USA already cruising at 3-0. Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, was shown a yellow card after being penalised for a challenge on Paraguay's Miguel Almiron, handing the visitors a free-kick in a promising position.

Play appeared set to continue after the free-kick was taken, but Dut...