Breel Embolo, the Swiss national team player, was sent off against Argentina after the intervention of video technology and the application of the "identity determination" rule.
Breel Embolo
Club: Stade Rennes
The Argentine and Swiss teams meet at Kansas City Stadium in the last quarter-final matches of the 2026 World Cup.
In the 69th minute, the referee issued a yellow card to Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes after a challenge on the foot of Swiss player Breel Embolo.
Video technology requested that Portuguese referee João Pinheiro review the incident again in implementation of the "player identity determination" rule, which appears for the first time in the 2026 edition.
After a minute of reviewing the footage, the referee returned to the pitch, canceled the yellow card for the Argentine, and awarded it to Embolo due to simulation.
The yellow card from Pinheiro was quickly followed by another red card because Embolo had received a first yellow card at the end of the first half.
🟥 Portuguese referee João Pinheiro issues a red card to Swiss star Breel Embolo after receiving two yellow cards! The decision was made after resorting to video technology (72).#WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/JfiPScxWGJ@beINSPORTS
The Swiss players will complete the match with 10 players.
For the second time in 2026, video technology intervened to determine the identity of the penalized player, after it first occurred during the match between America and Paraguay in the group stage and the caution of Miguel Almirón.
Embolo became the first player to receive a second yellow card and then a red card due to simulation since the 2006 edition.
Before the World Cup, the Football Council announced 3 amendments in which the video assistant referee is allowed to intervene:
1 A red card resulting from a second yellow card that is clearly wrong.
2 Error in identifying the player when the referee penalizes the wrong team for an offense resulting in a red card.
3 An incorrectly awarded corner kick.
