Published 12/07/2026
Switzerland expressed displeasure after its striker Briel Embolo was sent off in the North American World Cup quarter-final against Argentina (1-3 after overtime), with midfielder Fabian Rieder calling the decision “catastrophic”.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes received a yellow card for a suspected foul on Embolo in the second half. But the referee, who was called by his assistants to review the video footage, noticed the action of the French club Rennes striker and punished him with a warning, his second of the match, which meant he was sent off.
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“It’s just a disaster,” Reeder told reporters in the mixed zone. “I don’t know what this judge did here. I don’t understand why he was called in such a situation.”
The Augsburg player added: “I don’t understand how a video assistant referee can change the match in a scene like this. The referee just needs to be allowed to do his job.”
Strange decision
For his part, coach Murat Yakin expressed surprise at the yellow card Paredes initially received and the series of consequences that followed.
At a press conference, he said: “There was no reason to give this yellow card. I don’t understand. It was a harmless situation. I don’t understand how this decision was made and in the end our player was sent off.”
He stressed that he does not blame Embolo: “It was absurd to put responsibility on him. He is completely devastated because he could not help the team.”
He noted that his colleague Lionel Scaloni felt “comfortable”, adding: “It also shows that Argentina took us seriously.”
He added: “Even when we had ten players, we fought hard. We did a great job and wanted to go to penalties because the momentum would have been on our side.”
He concluded: “I will not say that they (Argentines) received benefits. We had a good and open match. Both teams played football, but unfortunately we did not emerge victorious today. This is absolutely clear: I believe that football did not emerge victorious.”