Argentina faces referee scrutiny ahead of World Cup semi-final with England

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 14, 2026, 6:04 AM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

Argentina faces referee scrutiny ahead of World Cup semi-final with England
Summary

Argentina's journey in the World Cup has been marred by controversy over officiating, particularly during their quarter-final win against Switzerland, where Breel Embolo was sent off for simulation. This decision, along with earlier complaints regarding Argentina's matches against Egypt and Algeria, has led to widespread criticism and claims of favoritism towards the team. Former FIFA referee Christina Unkel expressed concerns over new VAR protocols and their potential impact on matches. As Argentina prepares for the semi-finals against England, the discourse around referee bias and the effectiveness of VAR protocols intensifies.

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By the Numbers
  • •Argentina reached the semi-finals amid referee controversy over VAR decisions.
  • •Breel Embolo's red card during the quarter-final sparked significant debate.
  • •Critics have dubbed Argentina 'VARgentina' amid claims of favoritism.
  • •FIFA's new VAR protocols have come under scrutiny from experts.
  • •Argentina is set to play England in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Latest Updates
  • 6:04 AMYahoo Sports — Argentina Gets Mocking New Nickname Amid World Cup Favoritism Row
What they're saying
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A new refereeing protocol has added to the powder keg of public perception over fairness at the World Cup.

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