Swiss Player Ambolo Sent Off After VAR Corrects Mistaken Yellow Card in World Cup Quarterfinal

In a dramatic moment during the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal between defending champions Argentina and Switzerland, Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off with a second yellow card following a rare VAR intervention. The incident occurred in the 72nd minute when Embolo was initially shown a yellow card for simulation. However, after the VAR review, the referee realized the yellow card had been wrongly given to Leandro Paredes of Argentina. The referee then rescinded the yellow from Paredes and instead issued a second yellow, followed by a red card, to Embolo for his simulation.

The unusual decision sparked astonishment worldwide, with former players like Rio Ferdinand tweeting about the unprecedented nature of the event. Media outlets highlighted Embolo's emotional reaction after the red card and criticized his attempt to deceive the referee while already on a yellow card. The incident was widely seen as a significant advantage for Argentina, with some describing it as a "gift from the heavens" for Lionel Messi and his team.

This rare VAR correction and subsequent sending off played a crucial role in the match's outcome, underscoring the growing impact of video technology in football officiating.