Switzerland manager Murat Yakin believes a controversial rule regarding mistaken identity ruined his team’s World Cup quarter-final during their 3-1 defeat to Argentina.

Referee Joao Pinheiro initially issued a yellow card to Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Breel Embolo. However, after a review, the official changed his mind and instead gave the Switzerland striker a second yellow card for diving.

Yakin argued that the situation should never have reached that point. He stated that Paredes should not have been booked for the challenge in the first place and noted that Embolo felt “shattered” by the dismissal.

Switzerland had equalized through Dan Ndoye shortly before Embolo’s departure. Argentina eventually secured the win with goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in extra time.

Addressing the officiating, Yakin said: “The VAR and referee, the fact they introduced such a rule is unnecessary and I try to put it in very kind words but I think it is extremely hurtful. We are not going to go to the semi-finals but I think we deserved to be there.

“We were punished for a rule that is completely unacceptable. I don’t understand. It is very painful we are eliminated that way. I don’t think we deserved it and in my opinion our boys are the real heroes.

“The referee makes that one decision that he interfered, it is completely misunderstandable. That is a situation that happened many times previously. He awarded a yellow card. This rule destroyed our game today.

“There was definitely no reason to award that yellow card, I don’t understand it, it was a harmless situation, he should have let the ball freely.”

Yakin defended Embolo after Switzerland’s first quarter-final appearance in 72 years ended, allowing Argentina to advance to a semi-final match against England.