13 July 2026
Switzerland Fury Over VAR Red Card That Ended Their Run
Swiss officials and players were left furious after a controversial VAR review led to Breel Embolo being sent off, a decision that swung the quarter-final against Argentina.
Switzerland's World Cup is over, and the manner of their exit has left a bitter taste. According to The Guardian, a VAR review for mistaken identity resulted in Breel Embolo receiving a red card during the quarter-final against Argentina, a call that Switzerland have hit out at in the strongest terms.
Mistaken identity has long been a valid basis for a VAR review, but The Guardian reports it has historically been used in clear-cut cases, such as when a referee books the wrong player. The 2026 World Cup has seen this applied more broadly, and that shift is now firmly under the spotlight.
With ten men for the entirety of extra time, Switzerland's defence was worn down and Argentina scored twice in nine minutes to progress. The Swiss camp has made clear they believe the call was wrong, and the debate around VAR's expanding role at this tournament is unlikely to quieten before the final.
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