Explained: Why Breel Embolo was shown red card after VAR review

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off during his side's FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Argentina after a dramatic VAR review on Saturday. The incident happened shortly after Switzerland had equalised to make it 1-1 in the second half.Referee initially showed a yellow card to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Embolo. However, a video review told a different story. Why was Embolo shown a red card?VAR found that Embolo had started falling before Paredes made any contact with him. The referee then overturned the original decision and ruled that Embolo had tried to win a foul by simulation.Since the Switzerland striker had already been booked earlier in the match, he received a second yellow card, which automatically became a red card.Embolo left the field in tears and was comforted by his teammates on the sidelines.Rare use of 'mistaken identity' ruleThe decision was made using FIFA's "mistaken identity" protocol. The rule allows VAR to step in if the referee has shown a yellow or red card to the wrong player.It was only the second time in FIFA World Cup history that this protocol had been used to overturn a yellow-card decision.Embolo also became just the fourth player in the last 60 years to receive a second yellow card for simulation at a World Cup.The others were:Luis Pérez (Mexico) vs Portugal in 2006Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) vs Brazil in 2006Francesco Totti (Italy) vs South Korea in 2002Switzerland question the decisionThe red card came just minutes after Dan Ndoye had equalised for Switzerland, completely changing the momentum of the match.Swiss defender Nico Elvedi questioned the decision after the game."I just don't understand how VAR can make that kind of decision."Reduced to 10 men, Switzerland struggled to hold off the defending champions.Argentina seal semifinal placeArgentina eventually made their extra man count in extra time. Julian Alvarez scored a stunning long-range goal in the 112th minute before Lautaro Martinez added another in stoppage time of extra time to seal a 3-1 victory.Alexis Mac Allister had earlier given Argentina the lead from a Lionel Messi corner before Ndoye levelled the scores in the second half.After the match, Alvarez praised his team's fighting spirit."We're among the best four, so we're meeting our objectives, and we knew it wasn't going to be easy. The whole match was hard, and we would have loved to have the win earlier, but we tried to get the win however we could."The opponent was really good but we fought until the end, and finally the goals came."Argentina have now reached the World Cup semifinals, where they will face England. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.