Argentina Through to the Semi-Finals After VAR Controversy Ruins Switzerland
Argentina booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals with two extra-time goals against Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday, but the match will be remembered for a deeply contentious VAR ruling that left Swiss forward Breel Embolo in tears and his side reduced to ten men for the final 67 minutes.
The decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes lunged in on Embolo as the forward drove upfield, appearing to catch his leg. Portuguese referee João Pinheiro showed Paredes a yellow card for the challenge. However, VAR official Guillermo Pacheco Larios triggered a mistaken identity review after footage suggested Embolo had begun to fall before contact was made.
The review flipped the offence from recklessness by Paredes to simulation by Embolo — both punishable by a yellow card. With Embolo already booked in the first half for a foul on Paredes himself, the second yellow meant an automatic dismissal. The announcement over the PA system sparked wild celebrations among the pro-Argentina crowd and disbelief on the Swiss bench.
According to The Guardian, Embolo had to be escorted down the tunnel by teammates, visibly distraught. Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin pulled no punches afterward: “It was decisive for the entire outcome of the match,” he said, adding that he considered the rule responsible “a rule that in my opinion has nothing to do with football.”
Midfielder Remo Freuler was equally blunt. “It’s just a disaster,” he said. “I don’t understand how VAR can change a game with this situation.”
A Rule Few Knew Had Changed
The ‘mistaken identity’ provision has existed in football law since VAR was first introduced, but it was historically used to correct straightforward mix-ups — such as a referee booking the wrong player. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the International Football Association Board broadened the definition to cover situations where the offending player was actually on the other team. Yakin admitted he had not been aware of the rule change before the match.
This is only the second time the expanded rule has been applied at this tournament. The first came during the United States’ opening group game against Paraguay, when defender Tim Ream’s yellow card was overturned after VAR determined Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón had dived.
For UK bettors following the tournament closely, it is worth understanding how this rule could influence future quarter-final and semi-final ties. Keep up with all the latest results and odds at our World Cup 2026 hub and check the updated live standings as the competition enters its final stages.