Switzerland coach Murat Yakin expresses frustration over Breel Embolo's second yellow card against Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026

Argentina secured a 3-1 win over Switzerland to advance to the semi-finals.

The Switzerland national football team saw their historic run in the FIFA World Cup 2026 come to an end, as they suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss against reigning champions Argentina at the Kansas City Stadium.

Switzerland deployed a compact 4-2-3-1 shape, while Argentina arrived with an attacking-oriented 4-1-2-3 formation. Argentina had a brilliant start to the game, managing to secure an early lead when captain Lionel Messi delivered a corner in the 10th minute, with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister heading past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, with it being the only major outcome in the first half.

Switzerland started the second half with incredible momentum, pressurising the Argentinian defence with their continuous attacking movements. Their efforts paid off in the 67th minute, after Ricardo Rodríguez found space on the flank and managed a pass to Dan Ndoye, who unleashed a brilliant finish from a narrow angle to tie the game 1-1.

However, they were restricted to 10 men after five minutes, when Breel Embolo was sent off after a controversial VAR decision. They held their defensive structure for the remaining minutes, forcing the game into extra time.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 112th minute when Julián Álvarez cut inside and unleashed a spectacular, curling shot that rifled directly into the top right corner, breaking Switzerland’s organized defence, making the game 2-1.

In the 121st minute, Argentina launched a 3-on-1 counterattack, with striker Lautaro Martínez scoring from a rebound of Thiago Almada’s shot, confirming Argentina’s 3-1 victory.

Also Read: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland: Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash

Murat Yakin’s remarks on Breel Embolo’s Red Card

Murat Yakin expressed his frustrations after Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation (diving) in the 72nd minute. He highlighted the importance of the decision in the outcome. However, he concluded with a good outlook on the game played, while congratulating Argentina on advancing.

“We were punished by a mistake. There was no reason for that 2nd yellow card. I don’t understand.”

“It was an innocent situation, not harmful. The refereeing error punished us and disrupted our plan.” “That decision was simply unbelievable… I totally disagree. There was clear contact, and I don’t understand how the referee and VAR reached that conclusion.”

“Switzerland had every right to feel wronged. Argentina is a fantastic team, but matches of this importance should never be decided by controversial calls.”

“But I wouldn’t say they’re favouring Argentina. We had a fair and open match. Both teams played football… We just were punished by a mistake.”

“It was a decisive moment for the match’s outcome. Now we can complain, but I have to congratulate Argentina.”

Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation (diving) in the 72nd minute. He went down after a challenge by Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. The match referee, João Pinheiro, initially deemed it a foul and showed Paredes a yellow card.

However, VAR reviewed the play under the tournament’s new “mistaken identity” rule, which allows VAR to step in if a card is mistakenly given to the wrong player or if the foul was actually committed by the player who went down.

The review confirmed that no foul was committed by Parades, and instead, Embolo had simulated the fall. This prompted João Pinheiro to cancel Parades’ yellow card and instead award it to Embolo. As the player had received a yellow card earlier in the game, he was sent off subsequently, with the player leaving the pitch in tears.

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