Switzerland's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina descended into controversy on Saturday when forward Breel Embolo was sent off following a VAR review for simulation, leaving the European side a man down for 67 minutes. Argentina eventually won 2-0 in extra time, but the Swiss camp was left furious over the decision.
VAR intervenes for mistaken identity
The key moment came in the 72nd minute when Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes challenged Embolo as the Swiss forward sprinted upfield. Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially showed Paredes a yellow card. However, video assistant referee Guillermo Pacheco Larios recommended a review for mistaken identity after seeing that Embolo had begun falling before contact. The offense was changed from a Paredes foul to Embolo simulation, resulting in a second yellow card for Embolo, who had been booked in the first half for a foul on Paredes.
"It's completely not understandable," Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin said. "I know that they will protect their referee but this rule destroyed the game today."
Rule change sparks debate
The International Football Association Board expanded the definition of mistaken identity for the 2026 World Cup to cover situations where a player is booked but the offense was committed by the other team. This was the second time the rule was applied in the tournament, after the US defender Tim Ream benefited in a group-stage match against Paraguay. Yakin admitted he was unaware of the change but criticized its application. "This is a rule that in my opinion has nothing to do with football," he said. "It is just extremely hurtful."
Embolo devastated
Embolo broke down in tears and had to be escorted off the field by teammates. "You can imagine how he's doing," Yakin said. "He is shattered. He couldn't help the team today. It hurts us and it hurts him. It was a referee mistake." Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler added: "I don't understand how can VAR change a game with this situation. Just let the referee do this thing, you know?"
Impact on the match
Switzerland had equalized through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute and were growing into the game before the red card. The Swiss had to play all of extra time with 10 men, and their defense eventually conceded twice in nine minutes to exit the World Cup. "It was decisive for the entire outcome of the match," Yakin said.
