Argentina survived a scare from underdog Switzerland to reach the World Cup semifinal, but the game was marred by controversy after some favorable calls gave Argentina a massive advantage.
Switzerland was forced to play with 10 men after Breel Embolo was sent off in the 72nd minute when he was handed a second yellow card of the match for simulation. The call — along with some other favorable calls toward Argentina — sparked controversy as Lionel Messi and his team moved on to the semifinal.
Massive Swing for Argentina Late in Second Half
Switzerland had just tied the game at 1-1 in the second half when Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card for an apparent tackle. But after the foul was reviewed, replay showed Embolo falling before the Argentina midfielder was able to make contact with him.
Embolo had already been shown a yellow card earlier in the match, and the review led to a second one for simulation and an automatic red card. Switzerland was forced to play with 10 players for the remainder of the match and through extra time, with Argentina breaking through late for two goals to win 3-1.
As ESPN noted, Embolo’s red card was a rarity for the World Cup.
“Embolo is the fourth player in the last 60 years of the World Cup to receive a second yellow card for simulation, joining Mexico’s Luis Pérez (2006 vs. Portugal), Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan (2006 vs. Brazil), and Italy’s Francesco Totti (2002 vs. South Korea),” the report noted.
Argentina largely controlled the ball — and the momentum — after the red card, keeping Switzerland pinned deep in its territory for long stretches of the second half and extra time.
Argentina-Switzerland Calls Spark Controversy
Embolo’s penalty for simulation was met with some controversy. Reporter Warren Sharp noted that many of Argentina’s players also appeared to embellish contact, but went unpunished.
“if every Argentine got a yellow card when they dove theyâd have no one left to play in this game,” Sharp wrote in a post on X.
“This is why people say itâs rigged for Argentina,” added reporter Jason McIntyre. “On what planet is that a red card.”
Fans pointed to other favorable calls for Argentina, including a foul on Switzerland after a player was pushed in the back by an Argentina defender.
“Argentine player pushes the Swiss player in the back. Referee: foul for Argentina. Shameful,” a fan shared in a post on X.
But others defended the calls, noting that Embolo’s red card came after what appeared to be a clear case of diving.
“I have no problem with this outcome,” noted Fox Sports soccer reporter Stu Holden in a post on X. “Embolo embellished with the intent of getting another player booked. Itâs a yellow card for simulation â not sure what the controversy is here? Donât dive”
With the win, Argentina and Messi move on to the semifinal and a match against England with a trip to the World Cup final on the line. Argentina has never lost in a World Cup semifinal and is coming off a win in the 2022 tournament.
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