Switzerland’s Briel Embolo became the first player to be sent off after a VAR review in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.
Published July 12, 2026
In the quarterfinals against Argentina in Kansas City, Switzerland’s Briel Embolo was sent off, marking the first red card for wrongful status in a World Cup.
Embolo was sent off in the 72nd minute of Saturday’s match, becoming the first player to receive a penalty for mistaken identity.
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The incident started when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was given a yellow card for a foul on Embolo, but the decision was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 71st minute.
Play resumed, but was stopped again when a VAR review was called, and not only was the decision overturned, but Embolo was given his second yellow of the match for mistaken identity and was sent off by match referee João Pedro Silva Pinheiro.
Why was Embolo given a false VAR yellow card?
The 29-year-old was deemed to have dived during the tackle with Paredes, but the referee on the field ostensibly didn’t see this and penalized the Argentine first.
However, the VAR team, working remotely, became aware of the incident and called for a review. Referee Piñeiro looked at the replay and consulted the VAR team before returning to the pitch, canceling Paredes’ yellow and giving Embolo a yellow instead.
The Swiss forward was walking a tightrope by pre-booking and was sent off in the 72nd minute with the score tied.
How did Switzerland react to this reservation?
The Swiss players and bench protested to the referee, but to no avail. Although they were dissatisfied with the decision, most experts and neutral observers agreed that it was the right decision.
Embolo was in tears and trudging along as his teammates consoled him.
What is false identity determination?
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the international body that governs soccer law, called the mistaken identity a “game-changing” mistake.
According to the explanation, a misconception is “when the referee shows a yellow or red card, but clearly penalizes the wrong player of either team for the offense in question.”
New VAR rules for the game will ensure that incorrect ID issues are detected and reviewed by the VAR team.
What impact did Embolo’s card have on the match?
Until Embolo’s appointment, the game remained even in terms of control and scoreline, with the score tied at 1-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining until full time.
Switzerland maintained the score until the end of regular time, but in the end they conceded two goals in overtime and were eliminated, paying the price for their inferiority in men.
