Argentina’s World Cup bias? The coach of Switzerland imposed an unacceptable red card on Embolo

The debate over whether Argentina benefited from favorable refereeing decisions at the World Cup intensified on Saturday after Switzerland coach Murat Yakin criticized the decision that led to Breel Embolo’s controversial red card in the quarter-finals.

Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to advance to the semi-finals, where Lionel Messi’s team will face England. But there was no post-match talk of Julian Alvarez’s stunning winner or Lautaro Martinez’s late goal. Instead, it was the VAR intervention that infuriated the Swiss camp and reignited accusations of bias against the defending champions on social media.

Argentina experienced one of the most successful periods in its history, winning the Copa America, the Finalissima and the World Cup. Their performances have won widespread praise, but almost every controversial refereeing decision involving Lionel Messi’s team has also drawn accusations from opposition fans that FIFA favors the reigning champions. There is no evidence to support these claims, but the latest controversy has reignited the debate.

The incident happened moments after Dan Ndoye equalized in the 67th minute. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Embolo. VAR then reviewed the incident and ruled that the Swiss forward had started to fall before contact was made.

Paredes’ yellow card was overturned Embolo was instead reserved for simulation according to the tournament’s mistaken identity protocol. With the Swiss striker having already been cautioned earlier in the match, a second yellow card led to his dismissal.

The decision stunned Switzerland’s players and quickly became one of the biggest topics of the tournament. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media. Many fans questioned the intervention and accused the officials of favoring Argentina. Others argued that Embolo tried to earn a foul and that the decision was correct under the laws of the game.

Despite going down to 10 men, Switzerland held on for more than 40 minutes. They looked set to force a penalty shoot-out before Julian Alvarez curled a superb strike into the top corner in the 112th minute. Lautaro Martinez added another goal late in extra time to seal Argentina’s place in the last four.

‘NO REASON FOR A YELLOW CARD’

Yakin did not hide his frustration after the final whistle. Switzerland’s coach said the suspension changed the course of the match.

“There was absolutely no reason to give a yellow card,” Yakin said.

“It was a harmless situation. He should have let the game continue. We were penalized for a rule that is unacceptable. I don’t understand it. The fact that they interfered unnecessarily is extremely hurtful. It’s a rule that has nothing to do with football.”

Yakin felt Switzerland took control after recovering from Alexis Mac Allister’s early goal.

“We came back from a goal down against the world champions and we had the momentum,” he said.

“We dominated and controlled the game. Then we got penalized for a rule which is unacceptable. It ruined our game today. We have to accept it but it’s painful to lose like that.”

The Switzerland coach praised his players for pushing the world champions to the end despite playing more than 50 minutes with 10 men.

“My boys are real heroes,” Yakin said.

Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler also questioned the VAR intervention and asked FIFA for an explanation.

“I’m very proud of the team. You could see that we gave 100%,” said Freuler. “I don’t understand how VAR can make such a decision and FIFA has to explain it to us.”

Embolo left the field in tears after the red card and was comforted by his teammates. Yakin supported his attacker and blamed the officials for the result.

“He was fouled a lot and had some very good moments in that game, but then he couldn’t help the team,” Yakin said.

“I don’t blame him. He’s obviously shaken because he couldn’t help the team. It was the referee’s fault.”

The defeat ended Switzerland’s first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 1954. It also denied them a place in the last four for the first time in their history.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

Jul 12, 2026 12:01 PM IST