Switzerland\u2019s World Cup ended in controversial fashion in a referee decision that will be debated long after the tournament ends.<\/p>\n
Swiss striker Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the 72nd minute of Saturday night\u2019s controversial 3-1 quarterfinal loss to Argentina<\/a> at Arrowhead Stadium, a decision that completely changed the complexion of the match and left everyone involved with Switzerland furious<\/a>.<\/p>\n In real time, it looked as though Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes had recklessly clipped Embolo inside the attacking third. Referee Jo\u00e3o Pinheiro immediately showed Paredes a yellow card, even as he claimed he didn\u2019t make contact with Embolo. Seconds later, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) halted play and summoned the referee to the pitch-side monitor.<\/p>\n Referee Joao Pinheiro, of Portugal, gives a red card to Switzerland\u2019s Breel Embolo (7), left, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ed Zurga) AP Photo\/Ed Zurga<\/p>\n What followed was easily one of the most controversial moments of the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/a><\/p>\n After a lengthy review, Pinheiro overturned the yellow card against Paredes, and instead issued the card to Embolo. The referee ruled that Embolo had simulated the contact and under FIFA\u2019s new mistaken identity rule, had to switch the yellow card from Paredes to the Swiss striker. Embolo, who had already been shown a yellow card in the first half for a tough tackle, was shown a red card for accumulating two yellows and was sent off in tears as stunned teammates surrounded him.<\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s Breel Embolo (R) looks dejected after receiving a red card after VAR intervention as Switzerland\u2019s Denis Zakaria (C) and Granit Xhaka (L) comfort him during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match Argentina vs Switzerland, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, 11 July 2026. PETER KLAUNZER\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n The new rule allows referees to reverse a booking if video determines the foul was actually committed by the opposing player. Or in this case, if no foul occurred at all and simulation was the real offense. Without that new rule, Paredes would have remained booked and Embolo would have stayed on the field. If Paredes had already been shown a yellow card, he would have been the player sent off.<\/p>\n The mistaken identity rule also occurred earlier in the tournament in the United States opening match against Paraguay. Defender Tim Ream was shown a yellow card for a tackle on forward Miguel Almiron that would have given Paraguay a free kick just outside the box.<\/p>\n Paraguay\u2019s Miguel Almiron (10) and United States\u2019 Tim Ream battle for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Andre Penner) AP Photo\/Andre Penner<\/p>\n VAR alerted the referee to go to the monitor where upon review, it was clear that Ream never touched Almiron and instead the decision was overturned and the Paraguay forward was booked for simulation.<\/p>\n Referee Danny Makkelie shows a yellow card to Miguel Almiron #10 of Paraguay after a VAR check for \u2018mistaken identify\u2019 involving an tackle between Miguel Almiron #10 of Paraguay and Tim Ream #13 of the United States during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alex Livesey \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images<\/p>\n Regardless of the new rule, Swiss manager Murat Yakin blasted the decision after the match.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was definitely no reason to award a yellow card,\u201d Yakin said. \u201cIt was a harmless situation. He should have let play continue. We were punished because of a rule that is unacceptable. I don\u2019t understand it. It destroyed our game. It\u2019s unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s Breel Embolo (L) reacts after referee Joao Pinheiro (R) showed him a red card after VAR intervention during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match Argentina vs Switzerland, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, 11 July 2026. PETER KLAUNZER\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Not everyone shared that view.<\/p>\n Former MLS striker Bradley Wright-Phillips said he sympathized with Switzerland, but not with Embolo himself, arguing the striker\u2019s actions may have cost his nation a place in the semifinals. Former Jamaica international Jobi McAnuff agreed the replay showed clear simulation, while admitting it was still painful to watch a World Cup dream end in such dramatic fashion.<\/p>\n Whether viewed as justice or excessive punishment, the decision instantly became another defining moment in the tournament that is increasingly being remembered for VAR\u2019s role in the matches rather than the games being played themselves.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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