Why was Breel Embolo sent off? First red card issued via new VAR rule over mistaken identity at 2026 World Cup in Argentina v Switzerland

React to this story

Another refereeing first was seen at the 2026 World Cup on Saturday evening, as the new 'mistaken identity' law was put into full effect, at the expense of Switzerland forward Breel Embolo. A VAR review saw him receive a second yellow card against Argentina.

Breel Embolo #7 of Switzerland argues with referee Joao Pinheiro following his second yellow card and subsequent red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Image credit: Getty Images

Defending world champions Argentina took an early lead against Switzerland in the last of the four World Cup quarter-finals, with maestro Lionel Messi assisting Alexis Mac Allister.

Argentina failed to hammer home the advantage, though, and allowed Switzerland back into the game. Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye equalised just before the second hydration break, slotting home well after cutting in from the left.

With the European side in the ascendancy, disaster struck five minutes later, as they were reduced to 10 men.

World Cup

Figo blasts 'deceitful' Infantino and calls for FIFA president to resign

2 minutes ago

Leandro Paredes was cautioned for what looked to be a trip on Embolo, but the referee was soon called over to the VAR monitor to have a second view of the incident.

Instead, it became clear the No. 7 had simulated the foul, only clipping Paredes' leg after he had already taken flight for an exaggerated dive towards the turf.

The Argentina midfielder's yellow was overturned, and instead the card was shown to Embolo, who was already on a booking from the first half.

He was left in utter disbelief, and was in tears as he left the field, while his team-mates remonstrated with the officials.

Embolo became the latest victim of a number of law changes ahead of the World Cup. Indeed, Miguel Almiron became one of the other players to suffer from the revisions earlier in the tournament, receiving a red card for covering his mouth.

For the Swiss, "mistaken identity" was the reason for the historic VAR check. The new law states: "Mistaken identity is reviewable when a player is shown a yellow/red card but the offence for which the card was shown was committed by another player of either team."

In the group stage, Tim Ream became the first player to benefit from a mistaken identity check, as the American had a yellow card rescinded. A foul on, coincidentally, Almiron was judged as simulation from the Paraguayan upon review.

Embolo made history in the opposite direction, though. Intriguingly, if Paredes had not been booked, the VAR would not have been able to intervene on the dive, so the Rennes man would have survived.

The 29-year-old is a mainstay in the Switzerland side, shining brightest on the international stage despite a middling club career across the Bundesliga and Ligue 1.

He has developed a penchant for scoring at major tournaments, with his two goals this summer - against Qatar and Algeria - adding to the same number at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Euro 2024 in Germany.

Yakin says red card "destroyed" Switzerland's game plan

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin believes that the implementation of the new "mistaken identity" law ruined his team’s chances of progressing to the semi-finals.

Speaking after the match, he said: "We were dominant. We controlled the game, but the red card, we are punished because of a rule that is, to me, absolutely incomprehensible.

"Of course it hurts enormously that we were eliminated in this way. We didn't deserve that today.

Haaland hails World Cup side for putting 'Norway on the map' after exit to England

Video credit: SNTV

"For a situation where beforehand there should have been yellow cards several times, he gave a yellow card in a situation that, to me, was a harmless foul - or if it was even a foul at all.

"They protect their referee over a rule that destroyed our game today. That hurts enormously.

"First of all, for me there was not a single reason to give the Argentine player a yellow card. He simply should have let play continue.

"He corrected his own mistake against us, and well, afterwards you could see that we were playing with one fewer man."

Embolo had impressed prior to his sending off, forcing an important save from Emiliano Martinez with a header earlier in the match and helping his side get back on the front foot after Mac Allister’s opener.

Yakin says his star striker should not be blamed for Switzerland’s exit from the tournament, insisting he always does his best for the team.

"You can imagine how Breel feels," he said. "He had been attacked several times beforehand, and he had two or three good phases in the attacking game.

”But afterward he could no longer help the team. To blame him now is absolutely absurd.

”He always works for the team, he always had good moments in our game, of course he's devastated that he couldn't help the team."

Argentina will take on England in the second World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

World Cup