​Switzerland’s Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off under the World Cup’s new mistaken-identity law after a dramatic moment in this summer’s tournament. Embolo, who had picked up a caution in the first half, received a second yellow 72 minutes into Switzerland’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina, this time for simulation following a VAR review. The initial booking had gone to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes for a challenge that initially looked ordinary, but the video assistant referee intervened and sent referee Joao Pinheiro to the monitor. Upon review, the official ruled that Embolo had dived, a decision that left the Switzerland forward distraught as his side had just levelled the match against the defending champions five minutes earlier.
Embolo, 29, left the field in Kansas City in tears, supported by his teammates, while pundits offered mixed reactions. Former Major League Soccer striker Bradley Wright-Phillips told ITV that he felt for Embolo’s teammates but not for him, suggesting the red card could cost Switzerland a place in the semi-finals. Jobi McAnuff, a former Jamaica international, echoed the sentiment, saying Embolo had let his team down by simulation. While acknowledging the offense, McAnuff noted that it’s easy to see the incident in slow motion and feel sympathy for the forward, even as he recognized the foul as simulation.
Argentina eventually finished the game with a 3-1 extra-time victory against the ten men and earned a semi-final clash with England, a match that will be broadcast live on BBC. Embolo’s tears as he left the pitch were visible in Kansas City, highlighting the emotional toll of the moment.
The World Cup has introduced several rule changes this year, including one for mistaken identity, championed by Pierluigi Collina, the chief referee. The rule allows officials to change a decision if a booking or sending-off was for a foul actually committed by the opposition team. Had Paredes not been booked for the challenge, the mistaken-identity ruling would not have been triggered, and Embolo would likely have remained on the field. The law’s first use earlier in the tournament involved USA defender Tim Ream, who was initially adjudged to have fouled Miguel Almirón and was booked. After VAR intervention, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie reviewed the situation, rescinded Ream’s caution, and instead booked Almirón for simulation. This marked a notable shift in on-field decision-making, allowing reviews that could overturn initial calls.
As the World Cup draws to a close, football coverage continues on BBC Sport, where fans can follow the knockout path of the 2026 tournament and find detailed guidance on how to watch the World Cup on the BBC and ITV.