Murat Yakin Slams VAR After Embolo Red Card: “We Were Punished by a Mistake”

Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin launched a fierce attack on the match officials and the VAR system following his team's heartbreaking 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ quarter-finals.

The Swiss manager was particularly furious over the sending-off of Breel Embolo in the 72nd minute, insisting the decision completely changed the course of the match.

“We were punished because of a mistake. There was no reason for that red card. I don't understand it,” Yakin told reporters after the match.

The Controversial Incident

Switzerland had just equalized through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute to make it 1-1, and the momentum appeared to be shifting in their favor.

Five minutes later, the match took a dramatic turn. Following a challenge involving Leandro Paredes and Breel Embolo, Portuguese referee João Pinheiro initially showed a yellow card to the Argentine midfielder.

VAR then intervened, ruling that the referee had penalized the wrong player and that no foul had been committed by Paredes. After reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor, Pinheiro rescinded Paredes' booking and instead cautioned Embolo for simulation.

Since the Swiss striker had already received a yellow card in the first half, the second booking resulted in a red card, reducing Switzerland to ten men.

Yakin: “It Was an Innocent Situation”

The Switzerland coach insisted Embolo had no intention of deceiving the referee and described the decision as impossible to understand.

“It was an innocent situation; there was nothing malicious about it. The refereeing error punished us and completely disrupted our game plan.”

Yakin also questioned the VAR review, maintaining there had been clear contact between the players.

“That decision was simply unbelievable. I completely disagree with it. There was clear contact, and I don't understand how the referee and the VAR came to that conclusion.”

“Football Wasn't the Winner Today”

Despite his frustration, Yakin refused to suggest that Argentina had been favored by the officials.

“I wouldn't say they were being favored. We had a fair and open match. Both teams played football. Football wasn't the winner today. We were punished by a mistake, not on our side.”

He described Embolo's dismissal as the decisive moment that determined the outcome of the quarter-final.

“It was a decisive moment that determined the outcome of the match. We can complain now—but I congratulate Argentina.”

Switzerland Fought Bravely with Ten Men

Despite being reduced to ten players, Switzerland managed to hold Argentina to 1-1 until the end of normal time, forcing the match into extra time.

In the 112th minute, Julián Álvarez curled in a superb long-range strike to restore Argentina's lead before Lautaro Martínez sealed a 3-1 victory late in extra time.

Switzerland's inspiring World Cup journey came to an end, but the controversy surrounding Embolo's red card is likely to remain one of the tournament's most hotly debated refereeing decisions.