Breel Embolo left the pitch in Kansas City in tears, consoled by his teammates, after becoming the first player to be sent off as a result of a new law for mistaken identity at this summer's World Cup. The Switzerland forward, 29, was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the 72nd minute of his country's quarter-final against Argentina, a decision that came after video assistant referee (VAR) intervened to overturn a caution initially handed to Argentina's Leandro Paredes.
Referee Joao Pinheiro had booked Paredes for what appeared a clumsy challenge, but after reviewing the incident at the monitor, he deemed Embolo to have dived. The red card came just five minutes after Switzerland had levelled against the defending world champions, with Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye firing home from a tight angle after a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez. Argentina had opened the scoring through Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who outjumped Manuel Akanji inside 10 minutes.
“Breel Embolo became the first player sent off under new mistaken identity law at the World Cup quarter-final.”
Embolo's dismissal left Switzerland a man down for the remainder of the match, and Argentina eventually ran out 3-1 winners in extra time. They will now face England in the semi-finals, a match that will be shown live on the BBC. "This team has so much passion. Despite the fact we were one man down, we gave it all. I'm extremely proud of everyone," said Swiss coach Murat Yakin.
Former Major League Soccer striker Bradley Wright-Phillips said on ITV: "I feel for Embolo's team-mates, I don't feel for him. He has cost his team maybe getting through to the semi-finals." Jobi McAnuff, a former Jamaica international, added: "Breel Embolo let himself down, he let his team-mates down. It was simulation but you can't help but feel sorry for him."
The new rule, championed by FIFA chief officiating officer Pierluigi Collina, states that if a player is booked or sent off but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team, the decision can be changed. It had been used earlier in the tournament when USA defender Tim Ream saw his yellow card rescinded after a challenge on Miguel Almiron, with Almiron instead cautioned for diving. If Paredes had not been booked initially, the mistaken identity ruling would not have come into play and Embolo would have stayed on.
Embolo, who had already been booked in the first half for a reckless challenge on Paredes, remonstrated with the referee before being pulled away. As he exited the pitch, the stadium announcer declared: "After review, there is no foul for number five, number seven, there is clear simulation, final decision, yellow card number seven." The Switzerland forward's tournament ended in heartbreak, his tears a stark contrast to the celebrations of Argentina, who now prepare for a semi-final clash with England.