Switzerland’s Breel Embolo sent off in tears after VAR turns dive into second yellow card during World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina

The incident

With the quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland locked at 1:1, the game turned on a single intervention by the video assistant referee. In the 72nd minute, referee Joao Pinheiro initially whistled a foul by Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes near the touchline and showed him a yellow card. Moments later, the VAR team alerted Pinheiro to review the contact on the pitchside monitor.

Replays showed no foul had occurred. Breel Embolo had tumbled theatrically without being touched by Paredes. The Portuguese referee rescinded Paredes’s yellow and instead issued a second caution to the Swiss forward for simulation, which meant an automatic red card.

Nie było mowy o kontakcie ze strony Argentyńczyka, który początkowo został jednak ukarany żółtą kartką.

Embolo’s reaction

Embolo, who had already been booked in the first half, broke down on the pitch as soon as the card was raised. He tried to persuade the referee to reverse the decision but without success. Teammates attempted to console the 29-year-old before he was escorted toward the dressing-room stairs by the Swiss coaching staff.

Kiedy Szwajcar obejrzał kartonik, od razu zaniósł się płaczem. Próbował przekonać arbitra do zmiany postanowienia, ale bezskutecznie.

Historical context

Embolo became the fourth player in men’s World Cup history to receive a second yellow card for simulation. According to TVN24.pl, the most recent previous case was Asamoah Gyan in a Ghana versus Brazil match during the 2006 tournament.

State of the match

The first half had gone Argentina’s way when Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Switzerland responded unexpectedly in the 67th minute through Dan Ndoye, who levelled the score and swung momentum toward the Swiss. For five minutes after the equalizer Switzerland looked capable of troubling the defending champions before the dismissal left them with ten men.

The 1:1 scoreline held through regular time, forcing the quarterfinal into extra time.