The World Cup quarterfinal between Switzerland and Argentina took a major turn midway through the second half on Saturday, as Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation.

Embolo was shown a red card after a VAR check, turning a yellow card for Argentina’s Leandro Paredes into a second yellow for Embolo.

The red card would ultimately prove costly, as Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time.

Referee João Pinheiro initially called a foul on Paredes, giving a yellow card to the Argentina midfielder.

VAR Guillermo Pacheco informed Pinheiro that he believed the yellow card for Paredes should have gone to Embolo for simulation instead.

The review was made under the “mistaken identity” provision, which occurs when the referee on the field issues a yellow or red card to the wrong player.

Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute through Alexis Mac Allister, but Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute through Dan Ndoye.

But Embolo was sent off just five minutes later, a monumental call in the game.

Embolo broke down in tears after he was sent off, walking off the field with his face in his hands.

USA TODAY at the 2026 World Cup

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All games are being broadcast in the United States on Fox and FS1. Matches will also be broadcast in Spanish throughout the entirety of the World Cup on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock .

World Cup knockout round format

The World Cup becomes a single-elimination tournament once the knockout stage begins. The 32 remaining teams have been placed into a bracket, and the field will halve itself during each ensuing round of the tournament until a winner is crowned.

The lone exception is that the two semifinal losers will play in a third-place game ahead of the World Cup final.

World Cup knockout stage bracket, matchups, schedule

Round of 16

• July 4: France def Paraguay – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

• July 4: Morocco def Canada – Houston

• July 5: Norway def Brazil – East Rutherford

• July 5: England def Mexico – Mexico City

• July 6: Spain def Portugal – Arlington

• July 6: Belgium def USA – Seattle

• July 7: Argentina def Egypt – Atlanta

• July 7: Switzerland def Colombia – Vancouver

Quarterfinals

• July 9: France def Morocco – Foxborough

• July 10: Spain def Belgium – Inglewood

• July 11: England def Norway – Miami

• July 11: Argentina vs. Switzerland – Kansas City

Semifinals

• July 14: France vs. Spain – Arlington

• July 15: England vs. Argentina/Switzerland – Atlanta