Switzerland were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute of their World Cup quarter‑final against Argentina after Breel Embolo was sent off in what has been described as the tournament’s first “mistaken identity” dismissal under VAR.
The incident began when referee Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro booked Argentina’s Leandro Paredes for a foul on Embolo. The decision was referred to the Video Assistant Referee, whose remote team asked for a review. After consulting the footage on the pitchside monitor, Pinheiro rescinded the booking for Paredes, instead issuing a second yellow to Embolo for simulation. The Swiss forward, already on a booking, was shown a red and left the field in tears.
Switzerland’s players and staff protested on the touchline, but the VAR review stood. Many neutral observers and commentators later judged the correction appropriate. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) defines “mistaken identity” as the awarding of a card to the wrong player; the current VAR protocols permit such errors to be overturned.
The dismissal came with the score level at 1-1. Switzerland held on through the end of normal time, but the numerical disadvantage told in extra time as they conceded twice and were eliminated.
