FIFA\u2019s explanation did not reconcile the data with images that convinced Norway\u2019s players and staff. Head coach St\u00e5le Solbakken said the ball \u2018fell straight down from the sky\u2019. Later in the game, Norway\u2019s second goal was cancelled after replays found Erling Haaland committing a foul before a corner. While the call was correct, the contrast reignited complaints over the selective use of VAR technology.<\/p>\n
Then came the Argentina\u2013Switzerland game, which was already being watched under increased scrutiny<\/a> after Lionel Messi\u2019s side\u2019s controversial match against Egypt in the round of 16, which fuelled accusations of FIFA favouring Argentina to win the trophy.<\/p>\n As anticipated, the Argentina game did not pass without a controversial VAR decision either. Shortly after Switzerland equalized in the second half and had clearly seized momentum from Argentina, Swiss striker Breel Embolo went down after what appeared to be a clear foul by Leandro Paredes in the Argentine half of the pitch. Referee Jo\u00e3o Pinheiro initially booked Paredes; however, VAR began to check the incident. After an official review, Pinheiro removed Paredes\u2019s yellow card and booked Embolo for diving under the new \u2018mistaken-identity\u2019 rule<\/a> introduced for the current tournament. As it was his second yellow card, the Swiss striker was sent off, leaving his team to play the rest of the match and extra time with ten men.<\/p>\n Footage supports the view that Embolo began falling before meaningful contact. The harder question is whether it was sufficiently clear to justify turning a routine subjective incident into a match-defining dismissal. Swiss coach Murat Yakin called the intervention \u2018unacceptable\u2019<\/a>, saying play should have continued. Argentina scored twice against the depleted Swiss in extra time.<\/p>\n VAR Decides Match after Match<\/p>\n These cases fit a wider pattern. The tournament has featured a sensor-detected touch cancelling Croatia\u2019s late equalizer against Portugal, Jonathan Tah\u2019s extra-time goal being disallowed before Germany\u2019s elimination, a light-contact penalty deciding Belgium\u2013Senegal, and VAR-created red cards for Folarin Balogun and Jarell Quansah. Reuters described the trend as technological \u2018mission creep\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n NetSI counted 35 formal interventions through 97 matches<\/a>, compared with 26 across all 64 games in Qatar. Adding Saturday\u2019s three gives an estimated 38 through 100 matches: a lower rate per game than in 2022, but a larger absolute footprint. Fourteen red cards have been shown, compared with four in Qatar, while expanded rules permit reviews of clearly incorrect second cautions and mistaken identity involving either team.<\/p>\n Data compiled by Hungarian Conservative also shows that, of the 12 major VAR controversies at the World Cup so far, seven had a critical impact on the match and all of these resulted in elimination for the respective national team.<\/p>\n Recent polling points to deep dissatisfaction among fans<\/a> generally with VAR\u2019s effect on enjoyment. A May YouGov survey found that 72 per cent of regular Premier League viewers considered matches less enjoyable because of the system, although 68 per cent preferred reform to abolition. A separate, self-selected FSA survey of nearly 8,000 predominantly matchgoing supporters found that 81 per cent preferred matches without VAR and 92 per cent believed it had removed the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.<\/p>\n Argentina\u2019s latest favourable VAR ruling has also intensified bias allegations already present after the round-of-16 match against Egypt. NetSI found that Argentina and Mexico had each received four favourable foul-related changes, but stressed that this was not proof of deliberate favouritism. FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina has rejected claims of outside influence.<\/p>\n The controversy has accompanied Argentina on their journey into the semi-finals, and has even intensified after the Argentine Football Association became embroiled in a deep corruption scandal<\/a> that broke in recent days. La Naci\u00f3n reported this week that US investigators were examining TourProdEnter, which handled at least $260 million in AFA income, including $57 million in transfers whose purpose was unclear from records it reviewed. The company reportedly received 30 per cent of international income plus logistics fees. No charges have been brought, no wrongdoing has been established, and no evidence links the inquiry to refereeing. Nevertheless, mistrust towards Lionel Messi\u2019s side has significantly increased.<\/p>\n England and Argentina both deserve credit for advancing. Yet it is increasingly difficult to look away from the fact that VAR, introduced to remove obvious injustice, is itself generating the inconsistency, suspicion, and diminished enjoyment it was meant to eliminate or tackle.<\/p>\n Related articles:<\/p>\n \n At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.\n <\/p>\n \n Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.\n <\/p>\n \n Please consider supporting our mission.\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/var-infograph-1024x576.png\"\/)
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Out of the twelve major VAR controversies, seven had a critical impact on the match. GRAPHICS: Hungarian Conservative<\/p>\n![\"HC](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783864993_345_cropped-HC_Logo-02.png\"\/){kind=logo}
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