Argentina are heading into a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against England, but their dramatic extra-time victory over Switzerland has been overshadowed by a furious refereeing row that refuses to go away.
Lionel Messi approaches referee Joao Pinheiro in Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final win
Switzerland’s players protest after Breel Embolo was shown a red card late in the game
Lionel Messi and his team-mates eventually came through 3-1 after extra time, setting up one of the most explosive fixtures in football. Yet Switzerland left the tournament convinced that the biggest calls had gone against them on a night when anger, suspicion and controversy surrounded the defending champions’ progress.
The flashpoint came midway through the second half with the quarter-final level and Switzerland carrying real momentum. Breel Embolo, who had already been booked, went down after a challenge involving Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially punished Paredes, but VAR then intervened under the World Cup’s new mistaken-identity rule.
After checking the monitor, the referee reversed the decision and instead booked Embolo for simulation. Because the Switzerland forward had already received a yellow card, the second caution became a red. Embolo left the pitch in tears, Switzerland were reduced to 10 men, and the match changed completely.
Swiss players were furious after the final whistle. Manuel Akanji said he felt every small decision had gone against his team and described the contest as one-sided. Remo Freuler questioned how VAR could step in during such a moment, while manager Murat Yakin called the decision incomprehensible and said Switzerland had been punished just when the game had started to swing their way.
Captain Granit Xhaka was just as emotional, arguing that decisions like that risk killing football. Switzerland believed that, at 11 against 11, they had Argentina under pressure and were capable of completing a stunning upset against the world champions.
Egypt were also furious about the refereeing treatment of Argentina in the last round
Argentina, however, survived. Switzerland held out bravely until the 112th minute, when Julian Alvarez produced a superb curling finish to break their resistance. Lautaro Martinez then added a third in stoppage time of extra time, sealing Argentina’s place in the final four and confirming a mouth-watering meeting with England.
The controversy has arrived only days after Egypt also complained about the refereeing in their defeat by Argentina. Egypt’s camp had even called for a FIFA investigation, with winger Mostafa Ziko claiming the tournament had been fixed and coach Hossam Hassan saying the match was rigged. FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina rejected such claims, insisting that the integrity of officials should not be questioned without evidence.
Those accusations remain serious and unproven, but Switzerland’s anger will only intensify the online debate around Argentina’s run. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also drew attention after saying he had suffered with Argentina while insisting he was neutral, a remark that fuelled further discussion among fans already suspicious of the defending champions’ path.
There is another side to the argument. Some observers believe Embolo did leave his leg in and that the VAR review ultimately reached the correct decision. The Daily Mail’s own match report described the incident as a foolish moment from the striker. But even if the decision was technically right, Switzerland’s frustration centred on the timing, the impact and the feeling that the rhythm of the match had been taken away from them.
That is why this story matters beyond one red card. Argentina are through, Messi is still alive in what may be his final World Cup, and England now wait in the semi-final. But before the football world turns fully to that historic rivalry, the argument over whether Switzerland were treated fairly is already dominating the conversation.
For Argentina, it is another step toward immortality. For Switzerland, it is a painful exit wrapped in rage. For neutral fans, it is one more reminder that this World Cup has become as much about controversy as it is about goals.
