Breel Embolo was left heartbroken and in tears after the Switzerland forward was sent off due to a controversial VAR decision for mistaken identity during the World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash against Argentina.

The Swiss striker had initially been awarded a free-kick when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes received a yellow card following a collision that sent Embolo sprawling. However, replays indicated that the Swiss forward might have exaggerated the contact.

Under the newly introduced FIFA World Cup regulations, the VAR team reviewed the incident for potential mistaken identity, which ultimately put Embolo in trouble. The officials then assessed the situation as a case of simulation.

After reviewing the footage, referee Joao Pinheiro reversed his original call, rescinding the yellow card shown to Paredes and instead issuing it to Embolo. As it was Embolo’s second booking of the match, he was shown a red card, leaving Switzerland down to ten men with the score locked at 1-1.

“After review, there is no foul for No 5 [Paredes], No 7 [Embolo], there is a clear simulation, final decision, yellow card for No 7 [Embolo],” Pinheiro announced to the Kansas City crowd.

Embolo was visibly distraught after the decision, realising the magnitude of the mistake. His teammate Denis Zakaria was seen shouting at the referee, pleading for leniency before escorting the emotional forward off the pitch to prevent further confrontation.

One key aspect of the revised rulebook is that if Paredes had not initially been booked, Embolo would have avoided dismissal and remained on the field.

During the subsequent hydration break in the 75th minute, Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka approached referee Pinheiro, arguing passionately about the decision as his side’s hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup semi-final hung in the balance.

Referee Joao Pinheiro of Portugal was seen showing the red card to Switzerland’s No.7, Breel Embolo, after the VAR review confirmed the decision.

Denis Zakaria was later photographed consoling a tearful Embolo as he left the field following his second yellow and subsequent red card.

Former footballer Jobi McAnuff commented on ITV Sport: “I think it’s one of those moments where, by the letter of the law, it has to be a yellow card. He’s waiting for the contact, he’s initiated it, and they’ll see that as simulation. But to send him off in a match of this importance feels very harsh.”

Meanwhile, Bradley Wright-Phillips expressed less empathy for Embolo himself but sympathised with the impact on the Swiss team: “That’s embellishment. I feel sorry for his teammates — he’s probably cost them dearly.”