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 Paredes had initially been booked for the foul, but the review under the “mistaken identity” protocol saw that yellow rescinded and a second one shown to the Swiss forward instead, ruled to have dived.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”

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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

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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.

Lionel Messi is rarely seen losing his cool on a football pitch, but the veteran forward found himself in a heated exchange with referee Joao Pinheiro during Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-final.

The 39-year-old was visibly animated as he confronted the Portuguese official, and cameras around the world caught the tense back-and-forth in what was otherwise a quieter night for the Argentina captain in front of goal.

What was said Between Lionel Messi and the Referee

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It is unclear as to what exactly sparked the confrontation, but Argentine outlet Ole provided a translation of Messi’s comments to Pinheiro:

The flashpoint appears to stem from Pinheiro instructing Messi to adjust his position in the defensive wall ahead of a Swiss free kick, with the forward seemingly taking issue with how the referee said what he said, rather than the words used.

Messi didn’t dwell on the moment for long, quickly returning his focus to driving Argentina’s attack for the remainder of the contest.

See the full incident here:

Messi’s Quieter Night Ahead of Huge Semi-Final vs England

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Despite the drama, Messi still finished as a key creative outlet across the full 120 minutes. He was handed a 7.79 rating by Opta, registering one assist but no goals, the first game of the tournament in which he hasn’t found the net.

His passing was typically tidy too, completing 86% of his 65 attempted passes, while he also contributed defensively, winning back possession in advanced areas and continuing to trouble the Swiss backline with his movement.

It wasn’t a vintage individual display by Messi’s own lofty standards, but his influence remained central to Argentina grinding out a hard-fought win that sets up a mouthwatering semi-final meeting with England.

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

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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’

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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.