Switzerland Stars Slam VAR After Embolo Red Card in World Cup Exit

Switzerland’s World Cup campaign ended in controversy after striker Breel Embolo was sent off in the second half of their quarter-final clash against Argentina. Key players Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka have since spoken out, labelling the decision a “disaster” and stating that VAR intervention “kills the game.”

The incident occurred shortly after Switzerland had equalized, when Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation. This decision was made after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened to review an initial yellow card shown to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes.

Controversial VAR Intervention

Initially, referee Joao Pinheiro had cautioned Paredes, apparently for a foul on Embolo. However, the VAR team, operating from Dallas, suggested Pinheiro review the replays. The focus of the review was “mistaken identity,” as replays appeared to show Embolo going down without significant contact. Following the review, Pinheiro rescinded the yellow card for Paredes and instead issued one to Embolo. As Embolo had already received a yellow card in the first half, this resulted in a red card and his dismissal from the match.

FIFA’s guidance allows for the review of mistaken identity calls, even if the players involved are from opposing teams. The rules state that if a referee penalizes an offense but has clearly misidentified the offender, only the identity of the offender can be reviewed. This rule, implemented for the current World Cup, includes situations where a card is shown to the wrong player. While Pinheiro’s decision to reverse the initial call was technically correct under the new regulations, its impact on the game has drawn significant criticism.

Player Reactions

Remo Freuler described the outcome as a “disaster” and expressed confusion over the referee’s actions and the VAR’s intervention in such a situation. “I don’t know what this referee is doing here. I don’t know, I don’t understand why they call it for a situation like this, because there were many fouls, made also in the first half, maybe he has to also to call them for a yellow card. So I don’t understand. How can a VAR change a game with this situation?” Freuler stated.

Team captain Granit Xhaka echoed these sentiments, believing the red card significantly altered the course of the match. He highlighted Switzerland’s strong second-half performance and their momentum before the controversial call. “We had a good start,” Xhaka said. “We conceded from the corner, but after that, in my opinion, you saw just Switzerland. We had the ball, we didn’t create a lot in the first half. The second half was our game. We knew that step by step, we can take more risks. We took it, we scored on the pitch, we felt very good. We had more energy, we had more belief as well, and the red card changed everything.”

Xhaka also voiced his reservations about VAR’s expanded role in adjudicating such incidents. “The rules are the rules, and we can’t change the rules, but it’s a decision where you kill the game. It is my opinion. I don’t know what else he can do, but just don’t kill the game. I think that we were so good in the game inside. I believe that 11 against 11, we will have had them, but it is very difficult to find the right words after the game.”

The irony of the situation is that the VAR review was only triggered because a yellow card was initially shown to Paredes. Without that initial booking, the dive by Embolo might not have been reviewed on its own merits.

Impact on the Match

Embolo’s dismissal in the 67th minute forced Switzerland to play the remainder of normal time and the subsequent 30 minutes of extra time with ten men. This numerical disadvantage, according to the players, disrupted their game plan and ultimately contributed to their defeat against a strong Argentina side. The emotional toll on the team was evident, with a quiet and disappointed dressing room reflecting the pain of exiting the tournament under such circumstances.

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Player Sent Off | Breel Embolo (Switzerland) |
| Reason for Red Card | Second yellow card for simulation |
| Match | FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final |
| Opponent | Argentina |
| Controversial Element | VAR intervention to review initial foul call and issue a card to Embolo |
| Player Criticism | Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision. |

The use of VAR to overturn an initial decision and lead to a player’s dismissal, especially in a crucial World Cup knockout match, raises further questions about the technology’s impact on the flow and fairness of the game. For fans following the tournament, these moments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding refereeing interpretations and the role of technology in football.

Source: The Athletic – Switzerland rage after Breel Embolo red card decision: ‘It was a disaster’ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7439890/2026/07/12/breel-embolo-red-card-world-cup/)

Datos clave