How Leandro Paredes’ yellow became Breel Embolo’s red in Argentina 3-1 Switzerland | OneFootball

One of VAR’s new functions may have swung this quarter-final. An initial caution for Leandro Paredes ended up as Breel Embolo’s dismissal in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Switzerland after extra time.

In the 69th minute, with the score 1-1, Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro booked Paredes for a foul on Embolo then went to the monitor after a VAR alert. L'Équipe notes the review cleared Paredes and instead punished Embolo for simulation after replays showed he had not been touched, resulting in a second yellow.

The laws now allow the referee to rescind the first card and sanction the simulation, a change applied only since the start of this World Cup. Such reversals remain rare.

Having already been booked before half-time for a heavy challenge on Paredes, the Rennes striker received his second caution and was sent off. He left the pitch in tears after brief protests.

He is the fourth player to be dismissed at a World Cup for a second yellow for simulation since 1966, after Francesco Totti in 2002, and Luis Perez and Asamoah Gyan in 2006.

Source: L'Équipe