Mistaken identity, Embolo’s red & Argentina escape: World champions doing it again, Switzerland out

Last Updated on 12 July 2026

It is becoming a familiar story. Argentina were level at 1-1. Switzerland were the better team. Dan Ndoye had just equalised. The momentum had shifted irreversibly toward Murat Yakin’s side.

And then a five-letter word that most coaches at this tournament had never encountered before last night appeared on the match officials’ screens, and everything changed. Breel Embolo received a red card. Switzerland played 23 minutes of extra time with ten men.

And Argentina are in the semi-finals, facing England on Wednesday. Again, they find themselves at the centre of controversy. Again, they find themselves through in the World Cup 2026.

Argentina steal win, Switzerland hard done – A rule nobody knew & a red card nobody agrees on

The incident occurred in the 72nd minute. Leandro Paredes tackled Embolo, referee Joao Pinheiro gave a yellow card to Paredes and then VAR intervened using the “mistaken identity” protocol, which allows the video assistant to overturn a card issued to the wrong player.

Replays suggested Embolo was already falling before Paredes made contact, meaning Paredes’ yellow was unjust and under the protocol, the card transferred to Embolo for simulation instead. Since Embolo had already been booked in the first half, he was sent off.

Swiss captain Granit Xhaka was blunt: “I think the red card changed our game. This decision was difficult to accept.” Coach Murat Yakin was even more direct: “I didn’t know this rule before. It was a very harmless situation. We were punished by a referee’s mistake.”

The footballing world largely agreed that while Embolo had dived, handing him a red card via the mistaken identity protocol, rather than simply rescinding Paredes’ yellow, felt disproportionate and dizzying in equal measure.

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez finish the job: England await

Julian Alvarez scored to put them 2-1 up with a world-class strike in extra time, before Lautaro Martinez sealed a 3-1 win. It was the third consecutive knockout match in which Argentina required extra time to progress, all accompanied by significant officiating controversy.

The Egyptian Football Association had already formally complained to FIFA about referee bias toward Argentina after the Round of 16. Switzerland will have similar sentiments by morning. But Messi and co don’t seem like stopping.

Argentina, meanwhile, have England next, their first meeting at a World Cup since 1998. It is only the second time “mistaken identity” protocol has been used at this tournament. Both times in favour of Argentina. At some point, coincidence runs out of explanations.