Matías Galarza. A midfielder from Paraguay. Has become a focal point of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, both for his performances and a controversial moment involving Kylian Mbappé. According to reports. During a match against France. Galarza struck Mbappé with a clear punch to the left arm in the 20th minute, as Mbappé fell to the ground, appearing in pain, but the referee allowed play to continue and no card was shown. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) also did not intervene, according to SPORT1 and OneFootball.

Controversial Moment and Expert Analysis

Patrick Ittrich, an expert referee analyst, commented on the incident for MagentaTV — he noted that the strike appeared deliberate and occurred away from the ball, which, under FIFA rules, could warrant a red card. According to Ittrich, the act was not the typical form of aggression but still constituted a clear foul. He emphasized that even an attempted aggression is still an act of aggression under the rules.

Ittrich also questioned the decision not to involve VAR, noting that if the assistant had flagged the incident, it would have been difficult to criticize the call. The decision to allow the match to continue reflected the generally lenient approach of referees during the tournament, according to reports.

Performance and Transfer Interest

Galarza’s performance in the World Cup has significantly boosted his profile. According to SPORT, his display with the Paraguay national team has made him one of the standout players of the tournament. His performance has attracted attention from top European clubs and teams in Mexico’s Liga MX, with reports indicating that interest in the 24-year-old midfielder has surged dramatically.

River Plate, Galarza’s club, has had to adjust its plans due to the increased attention the player has received. The club now acknowledges that the tournament has changed the terrain for potential transfers, with Galarza’s visibility and market value rising significantly. However, the club is not willing to consider transferring him under any conditions. Despite this, it is expected that Galarza will remain a key name in the summer transfer window, following his breakout on the world stage.

Watching the Action and Fan Engagement

For fans in the United States, there are multiple opportunities to watch Galarza in action during Paraguay’s group stage matches. According to Atlanta United FC, the team’s two key players,Miguel Almirón and Matías Galarza—will represent Paraguay for the first time since the 2010 World Cup. The matches will be broadcast on FOX, Peacock, Telemundo, and Universo, with fan events scheduled in cities like Atlanta.

The group stage fixtures include:

  • Friday, June 12, USA vs. Paraguay (9 p.m. ET)
  • Friday, June 19, Türkiye vs. Paraguay (11 p.m. ET)
  • Thursday, June 25 – Paraguay vs. Australia (10 p.m. ET)

These matches offer fans a chance to see Galarza and Almirón perform on the global stage, with fan events planned to enhance the viewing experience. For those following the tournament internationally, the controversy and rising star of Galarza will be key talking points as the World Cup continues.