Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to seal its spot in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s Argentina’s second straight appearance in the Final Four after winning the tournament four years ago in Qatar.
The win, while comprehensive in the end, was not without controversy. In the 72nd minute, with the game tied at 1-1 and the momentum firmly in Switzerland’s favor, Swiss striker Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the evening. The card came from a play in which Argentina was originally found to be at fault—but in a primetime debut for FIFA’s brand-new “mistaken identity” rule, the play’s decision was reversed, and Switzerland’s game fell apart.
How did it happen? What is “mistaken identity” in soccer? And was this a case of Argentina favoritism? Here are all the answers to your pressing World Cup questions.
So what was the play in the first place?
It all began with a Switzerland equalizer. After several minutes of intense pressure, winger Dan Ndoye broke through the Argentina defense and brought the Swiss national team level. The goal rocked Argentina and left its players reeling: their lack of comfort with the 1-1 score was clear. Tackles flew in with abandon and Switzerland appeared to be firmly in the ascendancy.
A few minutes later, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes flew into a challenge on Switzerland striker Breel Embolo. Embolo went flying, and Paredes was duly carded.