Controversial VAR Ruling Ends Breel Embolo’s World Cup Campaign

Every morning, OneFootball brings you a full recap of the night at the World Cup.

The night’s results

The can’t-miss story of the night

The 2026 World Cup continues to deliver wild twists, but the misfortune suffered by Breel Embolo during the match between Switzerland and Argentina will likely remain a major talking point.

With 15 minutes remaining in regular time, referee João Pinheiro initially showed Leandro Paredes a yellow card following a heated challenge with Embolo. However, VAR intervened for a “mistaken identity” review.

After examining the footage, the referee reversed his decision. He cleared Paredes and ruled that Embolo had exaggerated the contact. This reinterpretation resulted in the referee booking the Swiss player instead.

Because Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier in the game, this reversal led to a second caution and an immediate dismissal. Embolo expressed his frustration and despair in tears as he walked toward the dressing room.

The incident accelerated Switzerland’s elimination in extra time. Argentina capitalized on the man advantage to score two goals, securing a 3-1 victory.

The other controversy

After England manager Thomas Tuchel criticized his team’s performance against Norway, Jude Bellingham responded bluntly, sparking significant discussion in the English press.

The 3 players who shone

Jude Bellingham (England)

Jude Bellingham proved vital for England once again. Following his brace against Mexico in the round of 16, the midfielder delivered a standout performance against Norway. He leveled the score for the Three Lions before netting the decisive goal in extra time to advance England to the quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi performed in the knockout stage. The Argentina captain provided the assist for the opening goal in the 10th minute, setting the tone for the match. He remained a central figure in Argentina’s attacks, completing several successful dribbles and acting as the primary playmaker throughout the victory.

Julián Álvarez (Argentina)

The Atlético de Madrid striker demonstrated his finishing ability by scoring Argentina’s second goal with a curling effort. He consistently pressured the Swiss defense and provided a reliable passing option for Messi throughout the match.

Today’s schedule

Rest day.