Embolo's second yellow against Argentina explained

Argentina have reached the World Cup semifinals after back-to-back knockout wins over Egypt and Switzerland, but both victories have been overshadowed by VAR uproars.

The latest came in Saturday's quarterfinal against Switzerland in Kansas City. In the 72nd minute, referee Joao Pinheiro booked Argentina's Leandro Paredes for a foul on Breel Embolo. However, after a VAR review under FIFA's new mistaken identity protocol, the decision was overturned.

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The law allows referees to rescind a yellow or red card if VAR shows the offence was committed by a different player. After reviewing the incident, Pinheiro ruled that Embolo had simulated the foul, cancelling Paredes' booking and instead cautioning the Swiss forward for diving.

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Because Embolo had already been booked before halftime, the revised decision resulted in a second yellow card and his dismissal. It was only the fourth time in World Cup history that a player has been sent off after receiving a second yellow for simulation, and the second time this tournament that FIFA's mistaken identity rule has been applied.

The decision proved pivotal as 10-man Switzerland eventually lost 3-1 after extra time. Swiss coach Murat Yakin later described the regulation as "a rule that is unacceptable," but under FIFA's rules, the officials were right to make this call.