Granit Xhaka had some harsh words after Switzerland’s World Cup dream ended in a 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina, with Breel Embolo’s controversial dismissal for simulation the moment that changed everything.

Embolo was sent off in the 71st minute after referee Joao Pinheiro was sent to the pitch-side monitor to review a challenge involving Leandro Paredes. Paredes had initially been booked for the foul, but the review under the “mistaken identity” protocol saw that yellow rescinded and a second one shown to the Swiss forward instead, ruled to have dived.

Switzerland played the remainder of normal time and all of extra-time with 10 men.

Xhaka: “You Kill the Game”

Jay Biggerstaff (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

The Swiss captain’s frustration was obvious when he faced the media after the final whistle. “The rules are the rules,” Xhaka said, “but it’s a decision where you kill the game in my opinion.” It was a measured but pointed response from the Sunderland midfielder, who watched his side’s numerical disadvantage prove decisive over the remaining hour of football.

Switzerland had just drawn level through Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye moments before Embolo’s red card, and looked the more dangerous side in the immediate aftermath, only for the sending off to swing momentum firmly back in Argentina’s favour.

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both scored in extra-time to complete the turnaround, with Xhaka’s post-match comments reflecting a wider sense in the Swiss camp that the result had been shaped by the officials as much as by events on the pitch.

See what Xhaka had to say below:

Christina Unkel Delivers Interesting Verdict

Denny Medley (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

The debate didn’t end with Xhaka. Former FIFA referee Christina Unkel drew a direct line between Embolo’s dismissal and a near-identical incident involving Miguel Almiron in the United States’ opening group game with Paraguay, arguing FIFA is using the mistaken identity framework to disguise a different kind of intervention entirely.

“Embolo decision is consistent with Almiron decision,” she wrote. “FIFA is treating these situations as mistaken identity but it’s really ‘Simulation’ VAR can recommend. The controversial part is VAR is not just changing the player but is changing the offence. We are in re-refereeing zone.”

The comparison has gathered traction online, with both incidents following the same pattern: an initial card for a foul, a VAR review, and a reversal that punishes the player deemed to have gone down rather than the one who made contact.

Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Elijah Upson after he left Tottenham Hotspur, having beaten off competition from a number of top European clubs for his signature, according to journalist Simon Jones.

Tottenham have shocked everybody with the aggression and strength of their summer business so far, but Arsenal‘s squad needs a lot less work after a stunning 2025-26 campaign where they came within a penalty shootout of winning both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Their only incoming business so far has been to add Illan Meslier to their goalkeeping options on a free transfer, following his exit from Leeds United last month at the end of his contract.

The Gunners are working on new additions for their frontline and midfield at the moment, with all the top sources in the industry confirming their desire to land Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes in this summer transfer window, even though they are yet to make contact with the Magpies over a deal.

The north Londoners are looking to bolster their attack too after accepting a bid from Besiktas for Leandro Trossard, with Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge a target alongside their number one priority, Aston Villa and England’s Morgan Rogers.

Arsenal Win Fierce Race for Tottenham Defender

via Reuters

According to Daily Mail journalist Jones, Upson has decided to join Arsenal after leaving their arch-rivals Tottenham this summer.

The lightning-fast centre-back, who is a former 100m sprint champion from his school days and son of former Gunner Matthew, has chosen to remain in north London despite interest from some of the biggest clubs across Europe.

The talented 18-year-old also had offers from Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco, but has opted to join the Premier League holders.

He is likely to link up with their youth sides before looking to make the jump up to the first team in the coming seasons.

Arsenal Hold Talks Over Signing ‘Best Player in the World’

Phil Noble via Action Images via Reuters

Arsenal are determined to add a new left-sided attacker to Mikel Arteta’s squad this summer, especially if Trossard departs, and one report has claimed that they have been in contact over a potential deal for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.

The Brazilian currently has two years remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu, but if no progress is made on negotiations over a new deal then Real could be tempted to cash in on the exciting Brazil international.

Vini Junior and his representatives are said to be demanding a jump up to a salary of around £500,000-a-week from his current £350,000-a-week wage, with the La Liga giants keen to strike a deal on a £400,000-a-week contract.

Arsenal aren’t the only Premier League club being informed by intermediaries over the 26-year-old’s availability, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool also showing some level of interest.

There is no doubt that the Brazilian would be a huge statement signing for any of those aforementioned clubs, and it would be great to see him in the Premier League.

Manchester United are only getting started with their signing of Andrey Santos, who will join the club on a big-money deal from Chelsea. The Red Devils are paying £48million to sign the young Brazilian, who has a big future ahead of him, but there is no room for him in terms of regular minutes for the Blues.

The deal came after United canceled a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta weeks after agreeing a deal. The Red Devils requested a second medical after the World Cup, and they didn’t like what they saw, even if Atalanta still maintain there is nothing wrong with the player physically,

Michael Carrick wants two or three new midfielders this summer, well aware that he needs to replace Casemiro while adding further depth, and in Santos, United now have a modern hybrid midfielder who can play almost every role in the midfield, but he is only the beginning of the club’s business this summer.

Fabrizio Romano on Man Utd’s next steps after Andrey Santos transfer

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Man Utd are still looking at midfielders after the Andrey Santos deal, which is done even if not yet announced, and it looks as if there will be more than one new midfielder recruited.

“Man Utd remain keen on signing new midfielders because Andrey Santos is done,” Romano said on his YouTube show. “Also, many of you asking me why Andrey Santos is not official. Guys, I’m not controlling the social media of Manchester United to make announcements, but I can guarantee you Andrey Santos is signed and completed. Also, the contract has been signed yesterday (Friday). The deal is done.”

That will be seen as good news for United fans, who will know the midfield is the one place where Carrick can’t afford to be caught short if they have big ambitions.

What will Man Utd look for next?

Peter Cziborra via Action Images via Reuters

It’s likely United have another big-money midfielder in mind. While Santos is able to play in a deeper role, it would be surprising if Carrick did not sign a more senior player who specialises in the holding or pivot midfield role.

Casemiro was a huge presence in that deep role, and in the modern game, you are not going to compete without a top player in that position. PSG have Vitinha and Joao Neves, Man City have Rodri, Arsenal have Declan Rice and Bayern Munich have Joshua Kimmich. There are few more important positions in the modern game, and United are going to have to go and get one if they have ambitions of competing for titles, even if it’s likely to be a pricey deal.