​Nothing about the World Cup knockout stage has been easy for defending champions Argentina. In every round, Lionel Messi has faced the looming possibility that this could be the end of his World Cup journey, and yet Argentina has found a way to push through, often amid controversy. Saturday’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals followed that pattern. The Swiss, furious about the VAR review and referee Joao Pinheiro’s decision to send off Breel Embolo, may feel aggrieved, but the call was correct.
The controversy around Embolo echoes a scenario the U.S. men’s national team encountered in their opening match against Paraguay, a match that already set a precedent for this kind of VAR intervention. This World Cup introduced a new VAR capability: the authority to review mistaken identity on yellow cards. The feature was employed in June when Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was shown a yellow card for a reckless foul on Tim Ream, despite Ream never having touched him. VAR reviewed the contact and the decision was reversed—the referee issued the yellow to Almirón for simulation instead. It’s a rare but powerful reminder that VAR can correct misattributions of fouls and punish simulation when appropriate.
Embolo’s case bore a striking similarity. He was already on a yellow card, and he went to ground before any contact appeared to occur with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. It was a clear dive, and Embolo should have been aware of the rules in play. The expectation is that players understand that a second yellow can be earned through simulation and that diving, especially when already booked, risks an additional sanction. Dutch official Danny Makkelie drew no criticism for issuing a yellow to Almirón for his dive, and Pinheiro shouldn’t face scrutiny for applying the same standard to Embolo.
From FIFA’s standpoint, the ongoing push to curb diving makes this kind of decision meaningful. If players know that simulation can be caught and punished, they might hesitate before attempting contact that isn’t genuine. That deterrent effect aligns with the sport’s broader objective of reducing deceptive plays and maintaining fair competition. The more consistent and transparent these rulings appear, the more confidence fans and players alike can have in the integrity of officiating.
This moment, like several before it in this World Cup, underscores how VAR is evolving from a novelty into a crucial tool for enforcing rules on the field. It’s not about undermining the human element of refereeing; it’s about supporting referees with clearer guidance and more reliable checks. When the system works as intended—catching simulation, correcting identity errors, and ensuring that penalties and bookings reflect the true events on the pitch—it strengthens the game.
The bottom line is straightforward: Embolo’s red-card-worthy dive, given his prior yellow and the timing, was a proper use of the new VAR-checks for simulation and identity. That consistency matters, especially in a tournament where high-stakes decisions can alter the course of a team’s campaign. As the World Cup continues, the way officials leverage VAR to address dives and mistaken identity will keep shaping the narrative around officiating and the sport’s ongoing efforts to eliminate simulation from the game. This development, embraced by FIFA’s intent to discourage diving, could lead to fewer players risking unnecessary contact and, ultimately, a cleaner, more fair competition.