Breel Embolo is the first player to get a red card under the new VAR rule at the World Cup in the match against Argentina.
Breel Embolo’s red card during Switzerland’s World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina came because of a new rule.
Argentina won a tough match at Arrowhead Stadium to set up a big semi-final against England. Alexis Mac Allister scored early, and Lionel Messi played a big part again. Argentina were the clear favorites, but Switzerland fought back. Dan Ndoye scored to equalize before the second break.
Switzerland came out strong after the break, ready to create a huge upset. But then things took a turn. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes got a yellow card for tripping Embolo, but the referee, Joao Pinheiro, checked the VAR replay.
The video showed Embolo actually made contact first and clipped Paredes’ leg. The referee took back the yellow card from Paredes and gave it to Embolo, who already had a yellow. Embolo broke down in tears as he left the field. The Swiss players argued with the referee, but it didn’t change the decision.
This happened because of a new FIFA rule for this tournament about ‘mistaken identity.’ It means if a player gets a yellow or red card for someone else’s foul, the card can be changed. Earlier, USA’s Tim Ream had his yellow card switched to Miguel Almiron thanks to this rule.
Sadly for Embolo, if Paredes hadn’t gotten a card first, VAR wouldn’t have been able to stop it. Argentina took advantage of having one more player as the game went into extra time.
Julian Alvarez scored a fantastic goal that the Swiss keeper could do nothing about. Later, Lautaro Martinez scored again to end the game and break Swiss hearts.
Switzerland’s coach Murat Yakin was very upset after the match. He said the red card ruined their plan, especially since it came just after they had equalized.
“There was no reason to give a yellow card,” Yakin said. “It was a small moment and the game should have kept going. The rule is unfair and not about football. It destroyed our chances today. We have to accept it, but it hurts.”
He added that Embolo had been fouled many times and played well but was left unable to help his team after the red card. “I don’t blame him. He’s devastated because he couldn’t help. It was a wrong decision by the referee.”