Nothing about the World Cup knockout stage has been easy for defending champions Argentina. Each round, Lionel Messi has been looking at the likely end to his World Cup career, and yet, Argentina has found a way to win — often with controversy.
Saturday’s 3-1 quarterfinal win over Switzerland in extra time was no exception. But while the Swiss were furious with the VAR review and referee Joao Pinheiro’s decision to send off Breel Embolo, it was the correct call.
The U.S. men’s national team’s opening match against Paraguay already sent precedent for that kind of VAR review.
New for this World Cup, VAR was given the ability to check for mistaken identity on yellow cards. That review was applied in June when Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón drew a yellow card on Tim Ream despite not being touched by the USMNT defender. VAR looked at the incident and instead had the referee issue a yellow to Almirón for simulation.
After a VAR check for mistaken identity, Miguel Almirón is shown a yellow card 🟨 pic.twitter.com/XeD17F7hnV
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026
The incident with Embolo — who was already on a yellow card — was awfully similar. Embolo went to ground before there was any contact with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. It was a clear simulation, and Embolo should’ve had the situational awareness to both know the VAR rules on a yellow card and simply not take a dive.
After a VAR review, Embolo is sent off with his second yellow for simulation 🟥 pic.twitter.com/1ljSIAtVRj
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 12, 2026
Dutch official Danny Makkelie wasn’t questioned for showing Almirón a yellow for his dive. Pinheiro shouldn’t be questioned for doing the same to Embolo.
Given how FIFA has wanted to legislate diving out of the sport, it was the kind of consequence that could have players giving a second thought before simulating contact unnecessarily.
That’s not a bad thing.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The USMNT’s opening match showed why VAR was right to send off Switzerland’s Breel Embolo
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