Breel Embolo devastated as VAR sparks red card in Switzerland-Argentina

The World Cup officials and VAR sent Switzerland forward Breel Embolo out of the game in crunch time and left his team with one less player against Argentina on Saturday in the Kansas City quarterfinal match.

While it looked like Embolo earned the second yellow card with a dive, anything involving VAR and the World Cup, particularly in a moment as pivotal as this, is undoubtedly going to cause controversy.

Embolo was understandably devastated and furious with the simulation call, as he would be suspended for any further World Cup game with the red card ejection. However, VAR is going to VAR whether we like it or not.

🟥 Breel Embolo has been SENT OFF!

A massive turning point in this World Cup quarter-final. Switzerland are down to 10 men, and the momentum swings back in Argentina's favour.

Can the Swiss hold on, or will Argentina make the extra man count? 🇦🇷⚽#FIFAWorldCup#ARGSUIhttps://t.co/WWuZ4tpwdc

— PitchsideKe🇰🇪 (@its__plenty) July 12, 2026

Leandro Paredes was given a yellow card for this challenge but after review, VAR overturned it and gave a yellow card to Breel Embolo for simulation.

Embolo was already on a yellow card so he was sent off with a red card. pic.twitter.com/yrcsUKdYmU

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 12, 2026

Breel Embolo was visibly emotional after receiving a second yellow card for simulation and being sent off pic.twitter.com/eEdeXNdpoA

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 12, 2026

That's just unbelievably bad luck for Switzerland... and the fact that it happened against Argentina is not going to help the whole "the World Cup is rigged by FIFA for desired outcomes" discourse circulating online and beyond.

Why should Norway have won its World Cup match vs. England in regulation?

The reason is pretty blatant.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Breel Embolo devastated as VAR sparks red card in Switzerland-Argentina