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By Vikram Iyer — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

Mistaken Identity Rule in Play

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off during his country’s World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Argentina, a decision that stemmed from a new rule regarding mistaken identity. The incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the game, which took place in Kansas City. Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation, leading to his dismissal from the match.

Initially, the referee, Joao Pinheiro, had issued a yellow card to Argentina‘s Leandro Paredes for what appeared to be a foul. However, the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened, prompting Pinheiro to review the play on the monitor. Upon review, the official determined that Embolo had simulated a foul.

The new rule, introduced by FIFA for the tournament, allows for a decision to be changed if a player is booked or sent off but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team. This provision was specifically requested by Pierluigi Collina, the head of referees. In this instance, the VAR team in Dallas reviewed replays that suggested there was no contact, and Embolo had fallen to the ground. The rule states that if the referee penalizes an offense but clearly misidentifies the player who committed it, only the identity of the attacker can be reviewed.

The protocol for mistaken identity was triggered because a card had been shown to Paredes. If Paredes had not received a booking, the mistaken identity ruling would not have been applicable, and Embolo would have remained on the field. This marks the first time a player has been sent off under this specific interpretation of the new law in the tournament.

Impact on the Match and Player Reaction

The sending-off of Embolo proved to be a significant moment in the match. Just five minutes before his dismissal, Switzerland had equalized against the defending world champions through Dan Ndoye, canceling out Alexis Mac Allister‘s earlier goal for Argentina. Embolo, 29, was visibly distraught as he left the pitch, shedding tears and being consoled by his teammates.

Pundits offered limited sympathy for Embolo’s actions. Former Major League Soccer striker Bradley Wright-Phillips commented that he felt for Embolo’s teammates, but not for Embolo himself, stating that the player had potentially cost his team a spot in the semi-finals. Jobi McAnuff, a former Jamaica international, added that Embolo had let himself and his teammates down, noting that while simulation occurred, he still felt some sympathy for the player.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Switzerland had caused problems for Argentina throughout the game. Argentina had not been playing with fluency, and Lionel Messi, 39, had been peripheral for much of the match. It was not until Switzerland was down to 10 men that Messi began to have more influence, though his team still did not click entirely. Even with the numerical advantage, Argentina‘s performance was not entirely convincing.

Argentina Advances to Semi-Finals

Ultimately, Argentina secured a 3-1 victory in extra time against the 10-man Switzerland side. Julian Alvarez scored a goal in the 112th minute, followed by a late third goal from Lautaro Martinez, which sealed the win for Argentina. This victory propels Argentina into the semi-finals, where they are scheduled to face England.

The match between Argentina and England is anticipated to be a compelling tie, given the historical rivalry between the two nations. The last time England faced Argentina was 21 years ago in a friendly match. This upcoming semi-final will mark Lionel Messi‘s first encounter with England in his career.

The quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland took place on July 11.

Source: bbc.com