In a game where he scored just 64 seconds into his World Cup debut, Matias Galarza should’ve made headlines for all the right reasons. But an unusual watch theft involving the referee stole the show as the Paraguay star’s actions baffled viewers worldwide and sent social media into a frenzy.

Galarza scored the fastest goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far when he received a flick-on from Julio Enciso and scored a sensational goal from 35 yards. It turned out to be the match winner for Paraguay as they held on to win 1-0 against Turkiye even after Miguel Almiron was sent off earlier. But the bizarre incident occurred during the stoppage time of the first-half.

El Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton stepped in to stop a scuffle that broke out between the players. His wristwatch was pulled off in this process, and it was lying on the grass for a while. Galarza, who was making his way towards the scuffle, noticed the watch and picked it up. Instead of returning it to the referee, he put the watch on his own wrist and was seen adjusting it multiple times.

He kept on adjusting the watch and did not return it to the referee immediately. However, the referee was seen wearing the watch again in the second half, as Galarza might’ve returned the watch shortly.

Watches are quintessential for match officials as they serve multiple functions. The watches are designed specifically for maintaining time and also being connected to the goal-line technology. It also helps them communicate with the assistants and other match officials. It is also worth noting that at major tournaments, the referees usually wear two watches for redundancy.

So even when Barton lost his primary watch, the secondary one would have kicked in, and the referee would’ve eventually gained control over the first watch.

The match was eventful for Galarza as he played the entire 90-minutes before being taken off with a cramp. Paraguay secured three points despite playing with a man down. They sit third in Group D now and prepare for an all-important clash with Australia.

“What’s the matter with him?” former referee stunned with Galarza’s behavior

A World Cup match puts every player firmly under the spotlight. When Galarza picked up the watch and put it, reactions varied from all quarters of the world. A few found it amusing, but a former referee was lost for words.

“I mean, what’s going on in a player like that? With all due respect. What’s the matter with him? I don’t know,” German referee Patrick Ittrich said on Magenta TV.

At the time of writing, Galarza was not punished either on the pitch or off the pitch by FIFA, as neither an incident report was made nor any charges were hurled at the player.

There was no official statement from Galarza or the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) as well. But it remains one of the most talked about incident on social media.

But as the dust settles, Galarza will be eager to return to the pitch and help his team to another victory. Hailing from a soccer family, he is about to hit the peak years of a soccer star.

His grandfather, Arturo Galarza, and father, Rolando Galarza, played for top Paraguayan clubs. Born in Asunción, Galarza broke through the ranks of Olimpia as a teenager. He had stints with Vasco da Gama, Talleres, and River Plate. Currently on loan at Atlanta United, he has not scored at the club level in two and a half years.

But when he suits up for Paraguay, he is finding solutions. He did not play a single minute against the USA during their opener but rewarded his coach’s faith with a match-winning goal.

Galarza will most certainly be in line to start against Australia and will be hoping his goal-scoring exploits will do the talking this time.