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Argentina's World Cup qualification marred by controversial VAR decision against Switzerland
via SeneNews2 min read
Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup semi-finals after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, but the match was overshadowed by a contentious refereeing decision. Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review, a decision that has sparked widespread incomprehension within the Swiss camp. The incident occurred in the second half when Portuguese referee Jo茫o Pinheiro initially issued a yellow card to Leandro Paredes for a foul on Embolo. However, following a VAR consultation, Pinheiro reversed his decision, deeming Embolo to have simulated. Embolo, who had already received a yellow card, was then shown a second yellow and sent off, leaving Switzerland with ten players. Swiss midfielder Fabian Rieder expressed his anger after the match, calling the decision "catastrophic" and questioning the VAR's intervention. Head coach Murat Yakin also voiced his confusion, stating there was no reason for the yellow card and that the situation was inoffensive. He refused to blame Embolo for the team's elimination, noting the player was devastated. The incident highlights a new rule for this World Cup, allowing VAR to correct identity errors when the referee misidentifies a player. In this case, VAR led Pinheiro to transfer the yellow card from Paredes to Embolo for simulation, resulting in Embolo's automatic exclusion. While the decision aligns with regulations, it remains highly contested in Switzerland, with many believing VAR decisively influenced the match's outcome. Des
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