Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin has criticised the referee’s resolution to ship off Breel Embolo throughout his aspect’s 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina within the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Softfootball understands that the defining second got here within the 72nd minute when Embolo acquired a second yellow card for simulation following a problem contained in the penalty space. Though the incident was reviewed by VAR, the reserving stood regardless of what Yakin believed was clear contact between the gamers, leaving Switzerland to play the rest of the competition with 10 males.
Argentina finally capitalised on their numerical benefit, scoring twice in further time to safe a spot within the semi-finals and proceed their defence of the World Cup title.
Talking after the match, Yakin expressed his disappointment with the choice however praised his gamers for his or her effort. Regardless of his frustration, the Swiss supervisor congratulated Argentina on their victory, describing the encounter as an open and aggressive contest earlier than the controversial dismissal shifted the momentum.
He mentioned:
We had been punished due to a mistake. There was no cause for that reserving. I don’t perceive it. It was an harmless state of affairs; there was nothing malicious about it. That call was merely unbelievable. I utterly disagree with it. There was clear contact, and I don’t perceive how the referee and the VAR got here to that conclusion. I wouldn’t say they had been being favored. We had a good and open match. Each groups performed soccer. Soccer wasn’t the winner right now. We had been punished by a mistake. It was a decisive second that decided the end result of the match. We are able to complain now, however I’ve to congratulate Argentina.
Switzerland had matched the reigning world champions for lengthy durations and regarded able to forcing a penalty shootout earlier than Embolo’s pink card altered the steadiness of the sport.
Yakin’s feedback have reignited debate over refereeing requirements and the applying of VAR on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with many supporters and pundits divided over whether or not the choice to warning Embolo for simulation was the proper one.
