Switzerland's World Cup journey concluded with a contentious referee decision that overshadowed their quarterfinal loss to Argentina. In the 72nd minute of the match, Swiss striker Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation, a call that dramatically altered the game's trajectory and left the Swiss team incensed.
Initially, referee João Pinheiro booked Argentina's Leandro Paredes after it appeared he had fouled Embolo within the attacking third. However, following a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the decision was overturned. The referee ruled that Embolo had simulated contact and, under FIFA's new mistaken identity rule, issued the yellow card to the Swiss striker instead. Embolo, already on a yellow card from an earlier tackle, was subsequently sent off with a red card, visibly distressed.
This new rule allows referees to reverse a booking if video review indicates the foul was committed by an opposing player, or if no foul occurred and simulation was the offense. Without this rule, Paredes would have remained booked, and Embolo would have continued playing.
Precedent in the Tournament
A similar 'mistaken identity' situation occurred earlier in the tournament during the United States' match against Paraguay. U.S. defender Tim Ream received a yellow card for a tackle. VAR prompted the referee to review the play, which revealed Ream had not made contact with the Paraguayan forward. The decision was reversed, and the Paraguayan player was instead booked for simulation.
Reaction to the Decision
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin strongly criticized the red card decision, stating there was no justification for the yellow card and that the incident was harmless. "We were punished because of a rule that is unacceptable. I don’t understand it. It destroyed our game. It’s unfair," Yakin said after the match.
Conversely, some former players offered a different perspective. Former MLS striker Bradley Wright-Phillips sympathized with Switzerland but not Embolo, suggesting the striker's actions may have impacted his team's chances. Former Jamaica international Jobi McAnuff agreed that replays showed clear simulation, though he acknowledged the dramatic fashion in which the Swiss World Cup hopes ended.
The incident has added to the tournament's narrative, which has increasingly been defined by VAR interventions rather than the on-field play itself.