Breel Embolo was left in tears after being sent off during Switzerland's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina following a VAR intervention under the new mistaken identity rule. The 29-year-old Rennes forward was dismissed for a second yellow card after simulating a foul, with the original decision against an Argentinian player being reversed.
Incident and VAR Intervention
Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro initially cautioned an Argentinian midfielder after Embolo went down appealing for a free-kick. However, VAR directed Pinheiro to the pitchside monitor, where he overturned his call under FIFA's new regulation regarding mistaken identity. The stadium announcer stated: "After review, there is no foul for number five, number seven, there is clear simulation, final decision, yellow card number seven."
Embolo had already been on a yellow card for a careless challenge on Leandro Paredes just before half-time. His attempt to deceive the referee into booking a Boca Juniors midfielder backfired, leading to his dismissal for simulation.
Reaction and Impact
Embolo had to be restrained from approaching the referee after the decision and was distraught as he left the pitch. The red card came at a crucial moment, just five minutes after Switzerland had equalised. The numerical disadvantage hampered their momentum, and they ultimately lost the match.
FIFA's chief officiating officer Pierluigi Collina had backed the mistaken identity rule, which allows decisions to be reversed if a player is booked or sent off for a foul committed by an opponent. The rule was previously applied in the tournament when USA's Tim Ream had his yellow card overturned for a challenge on Miguel Almiron, who was then booked for simulation.
Match Context
Argentina took the lead in the first half when Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister outjumped Manuel Akanji to score inside 10 minutes. Switzerland grew into the game and equalised through Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye, who drove the ball past Emiliano Martinez from a tight angle after a slick one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez.
With the score at 1-1 and Switzerland gaining control, Embolo's red card shifted the balance. The victors of the quarter-final advanced to face England in the semi-finals, following the Three Lions' 2-1 extra-time win over Norway. As a result of the dismissal, Embolo would be suspended for a potential semi-final against England.
