João Pinheiro gets a third game in the competition and he is the first referee to break the confederations unwritten rule, having been assigned to a CONMEBOL - UEFA clash.
Match #100
Quarterfinals
12 July 2026, 03:00 CET
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
ARGENTINA - SWITZERLAND
Referee: João Pedro da Silva Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Miguel Alves de Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano António Gomes Maia POR
Fourth Official: Drew Fischer CAN
Reserve AR: Michael Barwegen CAN
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco MEX
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Juan Lara CHI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Marco Di Bello ITA
Standby Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
Good luck, a lot of pressure for the officials to have a good performance for this one
ReplyDeleteImo impossible for any referees to have a good game with Argentina now but we'll see
DeleteIt will be interesting, lots of pressure on Pinheiro here and just like USA-BEL match, there will be a microscope placed on all of his decisions here after the ARG-EGY match. Best of luck to the match officials today.
DeleteHopefully he will be as good as the jordanian
Deletemissed foul at 15'
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe moments when Solbakken tried to explain to Turpin at length during halftime that the ball had hit the camera.
video ..
https://x.com/ekehale/status/2076102000199016650?s=46
Good and alert performance so far. Possible YC for Swiss #15 (blatant holding) not given before hydration break.
ReplyDeleteCorrect YC
ReplyDeleteVery latd yc given by var for sure
ReplyDeleteMissed YC imo clear SPA
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t say SPA but definitely allowing the ARG to continue the holding with different defenders all to continue holding. He just punishes it with a careless free kick without player management which means it continues and the behaviour doesn’t change.
DeleteI haven’t watched this match as closely but no drama or controversial decisions. The early goal for Argentina has made things calm for him early in the match.
ReplyDeleteA YC for SUI att against ARG def, hard to judge as I haven’t seen much of the first half. Certainly I feel for him because none of the holding is being appropriately managed and therefore continues without punishment without management or cards.
Definitely a poor first half from Pinheiro. I don't think he was the best choice for this match. Terrible foul detection and far too lenient when it comes to issuing yellow cards and maintaining control of the game. The Argentine player is hacking away relentlessly, yet only receiving verbal warnings. A yellow card was finally shown to Embolo in the 44th minute for severe dissent, but the Argentine #6 deserved one too for repeated fouls—and yet the Portuguese ref is acting like everything is fine! No convincent performance so far.
ReplyDeleteDissent you think? Not reckless challenge?
DeleteAnother 86 more argentina fouls without a booking. Almost like the refs ae afraid to book them
ReplyDeleteIf it stay like this really good luck for the poor ref appoint for the ENG-ARG game
ReplyDeleteMarciniak?Barton?
DeleteI will sacrifice Marciniak
Delete2 clear spa fouls by Martinez on Embolo,neither of them yc.
ReplyDeleteI dont totally agree on “clear SPA,” close but not too bad.
Deletehe absolutely has to be cautioned for persistent if he does that a 3rd time
+1 @M clear SPA
DeletePlayer management is the minimum requirement here, doesn’t reflect well on him letting it to continue.
DeleteIs there any rule by wich you can't book Argentinian players?
ReplyDeleteThis is getting way too scandalous now. They keep committing fouls, they're holding Switzerland back unfairly and they aren't being properly punished for it.
The Swiss, on the other hand, have very little tolerance and are issued a yellow card for the very first foul. It's crystal clear why other referees refused to officiate this game and why Colina sent this pawn to do the job. Collina lost every sense of shame and every ounce of credibility he's built over the years.
Messi reminded the ref about this, at 30 min ..then ever since in the first half all calls favored Argentina
DeleteIs there a rule by which the referee can't issue a yellow card for the first foul if it is warranted? (it was in this case a reckless challenge).
DeleteStats also show it's 7 Argentina fouls to 12 Switzerland, and one of the Swiss players has committed the most fouls (3).
You definitely need a pair of glasses or a clinic on refereeing.
DeleteAre you seeing Paredes' behaviour? He’s already committed two fouls, each of which warranted a yellow card—in other words, he could have already been sent off. Just to give an example.
The point here is the inconsistent officiating, with undeniable favoritism toward Argentina.
The yellow card given to the Swiss player was for a foul that wasn’t even remotely severe, especially considering the referee’s generally lenient stance toward fouls.
Absolutely, Jordan.
DeletePinheiro has changed his line after getting chewed out by Messi.
What a humiliation right on the grandest stage, but unfortunately that’s exactly what pawns are for.
Sorry my friend, better check the statistics, at minute 30 we had 8 fouls to arg and only 2 to sui after messi speak with ref 5 fouls to each team, so your theory is wrong.
DeleteAlso about yellow cards 15 Sui 22’ holding could get YC and 10 Sui 28’ reckless escape to YC
DeleteWell, you didn't counter my point.
DeleteI'm talking about the disciplinary ruling, which, as always, favors Argentina.
I actually liked Pinheiro's performance in first half. Seems a bit lower treshold for fouls than usual at this tournament, but same high one regarding cards. That being said I thought he was consistent throughout first half and also very important, much better body language than what we are used to from him
ReplyDeleteEarly (!) predictions:
ReplyDeleteSEMIFINALS
France-Spain: Marciniak would be the obvious choice, but I have the feeling maybe CONMEBOL here…Sampaio?
England-Argentina: I’d like to see Makkelie here…Also can be Faghani.
- My biggest question is about Ramos…Philipp mentioned that the Pacheco’s appointment as Pinheiro’s VAR right now could mean that he was planned for that game and I completely agree…Maybe we can see him as FO? But IDK.
3rd Place: Maybe CAF quota? Let see which CAF referee continues after the SF’s cut…Could be Omar or Ghorbal…
Final: Ismail Elfath…I don’t like it but there’s nothing we can do.
I would also like Makkelie for a possible Arg-Eng, but given the recent history between argentina and the netherlands (2014 and especially the battle of 2022) I doubt he willbe appointed there. But let's see!
DeleteVery good first half from Pinheiro. Embolo's yellow card was mandatory. Martinez might also have warranted a card, given the string of fouls; in any case, there is absolute control over an easy match that has been well-officiated so far.
ReplyDeletereckless tackle, nearly YC imo
ReplyDeleteWe will compare all full time who has done well by far keeping ARG in the run in
ReplyDeletePinheiro
Letexier
Fischer
Tonight is going as expected its becoming normal Huh
What in the world was that free kick nonsense?? 72 seconds for a simple free kick in the middle of the field. Gotta be managed better
ReplyDeleteLet the drama start 1-1 yet we all ready have a winner
ReplyDeleteNow the match really starts... And Finally Argentina gets a YC.
ReplyDeleteOFR for mistaken identitym first time since USA-Paraguay.
DeleteAnd a first YC to Argentina which is very wrong and OFR
ReplyDeleteMistaken identity is back
ReplyDeleteGhost foul clear dive and yc for arg
ReplyDeleteNo charisma nothing im sorry mr pinheiro
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteIf things were other way around...
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DeleteDont be child is clear dive is ref problem and var must intervine
Deletei guess good VAR intervention...
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteYes, but if Pinheiro never gives the yellow to Paredes, no need for VAR and no second yellow. Why he felt the need to show yellow on that to Paredes is bizzare.
DeleteEven if it was a real foul, not sure why it needed a yellow, and if yellow is never shown, it’s a non issue
100% yc for simulation, but is this correct use of protocol. Similar ad Makkelie did early in the wc.
ReplyDeleteAnd what happens it's a second YC for simulation now the battle is against
ReplyDelete11-10
Can't they get tired
In a QF someone sent off for such
In a game of this magnitude
It's an absolute joke.
DeleteGood intervation by the VAR (OFR) Simulation of Embolo (second yellow card)
ReplyDeleteObviously not a foul or yellow for Argentina player but I feel that’s so harsh . He sticks his leg out but was already falling.
ReplyDeleteWould also add that this incident was somewhat similar to the England penalty overturn in ENGNOR, why was that not a yellow card?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBig diference from the two incident
DeleteMbolo here search for the foul no contact made by argentina player and dive loking for something
I was referring to the England penalty overturn, England Attacker sticking his leg across into the Norwegian defender.
Delete@Oliver Spence it's not a simulation, a foul if you want but nothing more
DeleteThe only problem with this decision for me is that if he do not give a YC to Paredes then there is no VAR intervention and for me that's not what VAR is for. Without the YC for the Arg player then Embolo is still on the field.
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteTotal failure by the referee
Delete+1 good observation
Delete100%, no need for a yellow to Paredes there even it was actually a foul
DeleteYep,clear yc.
ReplyDeleteBut still,Argentina plays agressive ,has their dirty style.
0 yc's.
Pinheiro obviously the only one willing to manipulate the match. Congrats Fifa, congrats Argentina, corruption wins, what a joke.
ReplyDeleteWhat's sad....is if pinheiro correctly does NOT call anything, waves it off as nothing...no yellow/no var/ no 2nd yellow for embolo. And we can play on, with 11 v 11 in a game Switzerland was dominating
ReplyDeleteSo basically if the Swiss player's simulation wasn't so good then the referee wouldn't have been conned into giving a wrong yellow?
DeleteClear simulation by the Swiss player. It would have been better if it had been spotted on the field, but no matter—the final decision was correct: a second yellow card.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way that he would have call a simulation mid field especially with a potential 2nd YC
DeleteAgreed with crn.ple here. I don’t think this outcome occurs in any way without the VAR mistaken identity protocols in this scenario.
Delete@vadcreferee and VAR only kicks in because of the yellow to Paredes which was an extremely odd decision given the way this tournament has gone and what he has allowed throughout this game.
DeleteNightmare situation that should’ve never happened.
Another scandal from fifa. Where was card for spence then?
ReplyDeleteNot the same situation at all, if you think the foul by Spence deserved a YC then i think you should rewatch it
DeleteIn a tournament where in so many instances we have been looking for the YC to be issued… absolutely brutal scenario. I struggle to see, at speed on the replay, what warranted the caution in Pinheiro’s mind. His life would’ve been much easier without it. Was it support from AR1 and the 4th official that informed the decision? Regardless, it is going to be an interesting remainder of the match.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he created a nightmare by showing a caution on a nothing foul with the ball almost out of play. Tough break for the Swiss and it’s just gonna stir the conspiracy pot even more.
DeleteWhat minute will argentina get a soft penalty is the next question
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteExcelent var intervention, like Makkelie ghost foul and YC
ReplyDeleteIn the end perfect decision
Embolo only can complain about him self
Or Embolo can complain about Pinheiro giving a YC to Paredes otherwise nothing will happen and the FK will have been taken without any problem.
DeleteI disagree, because a yellow should never have come out in the first place. That “foul” was just a run of the mill careless foul even if it was real.
DeleteÉmbolos actions were bizarre, but that whole situation was created by a strange decision to show yellow to Paredes.
Sorry but if embolo didn’t simulate this situation doesn’t happen, so embolo is guilty
DeleteFunny that some people on here complained about Argentina not getting any yellows and when Parades does get one for a third foul (which a Swiss player made look worse) other people say it shouldn't be a yellow!
DeleteRemember Turpin was called for OFR for a push when no play yet the same VAR couldn't call Letexier for a very clear Push in the box before ARG third goal
ReplyDeleteInteresting Pinheiro and VAR are under the same boat with the previous officials
Well the decisions in the two games today have been correct but unfourtunatley the on-field decisions haven't been great
ReplyDeleteWhat is that offside call ?
ReplyDeleteHow can you have a wrong offside call with SAOT and audio alert, don't get it.
DeleteNo offside in 84 ming wrong by ar2
ReplyDeleteEveryone who defends that decision should be ashamed. In a WC where basically every 100% mandatory YC is just ignored or blatantly not given, you can not give a YC for such an incident in the midfield to a player who already was on a yellow. Also argentina should already have been booked, in which case that situation would never have happened. Scandalous.
ReplyDeleteSo basically you're defending players blatantly cheating like Embolo did. You think players should be allowed to dive in non-PK situations with no consequence
DeleteThis is the best referee decision of the entire WC so far. It's so funny how people have complained forever how simulation ruins the sport and how much everyone wants more yellows for it. Hell, people even ask for divers to get red cards. Now you have the perfect scenario. A player egregiously CHEATS to get his opponent a completely undeserved yellow card, and yet now because his BLATANT CHEATING ended up getting him sent off, now people want their excuses about how the rule is too harsh, they need to make it to just cancel the yellow etc.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely NOTHING wrong with what Pinhiero did. And to those of you saying "Pinhiero shouldn't have given the yellow card to begin with", well he STILL should have given Embolo a yellow card anyway for DIVING. FOR CHEATING.
The best decision of the WC.
+1
Delete`That is obviously not the ''best decision of the WC'' as it's coming from a big mistake, a ghost YC.
DeleteAgree for the simulation, but i don't think that would have been given without the ''mistaken identity'' protocol.
I agree that it is harsh that the whole intervention depends on the wrongly given YC to Paredes (who could have recieved YC on other occasions by the way), but Embolo has to blame himself. Being already booked it is very naive to dive like this.
ReplyDeleteMissed corner 89min
ReplyDeleteCK missed, once again IFAB need to change the VAR protocol quickly imo, it's not understandable to have the possibility to correct a wrongly given CK but not a wrong goal kick.
ReplyDeleteThis may be Pinhiero's last WC
ReplyDeleteWe had faghani announce mbappe initiated contact and not give him a card. Its tiny switzerland so nobody cares right?
ReplyDeleteYeah but that was clearly a wrong announcement. He clearly did not initiate contact. We all have eyes. Faghani was just too arrogant. He might think it's not enough for a foul (and he is wrong, it was a clear penalty, in that play Mbappé actually didn't try to dive or look for the contact at all), but Mbappé did not initiate the contact.
DeleteI am very conflicted by this incident and nothing to do with conspiracies.
ReplyDeleteIn the first case, you must say that it is a textbook situation for Pinheiro. I wasn’t quite happy with his positioning or how quickly he got to the incident however, it looked like a foul (soft foul live). After all the rough treatment that Embolo received during the game, I’m not surprised he went down looking to try and embellish contact to get a YC for his opponent.
Correct OFR for simulation, the fact that he left his leg and and the fact that the Argentinian player never made any movement to call it a foul. This is a textbook scenario for simulation and a yellow card must have been shown.
The conflict for me:
- Embolo had been given rough treatment all game, after the way the Arg did the exact same embellishment he felt that’s what he needed to do in order for the referee to show a card.
- Had he not felt he needed to embellish contact, he wouldn’t be looking to act this way. It was born of frustration and there would be no dive and no second yellow.
- How many times have we seen referees not give yellow cards for simulation? We thought they weren’t using the UEFA guidelines but maybe they are? I guess we can argue that there was a clear movement to stick his leg backwards to initiate so it was clear simulation. I still feel during this tournament we have seen many referees not reach into their pocket for situations of simulation. Maybe because it was a VAR intervention he had to? Whereas others had been on field, so no? I’m not sure, conflicted
So in other words, you're defending Embolo's cheating and blaming Pinhiero for "making" Embolo cheat
DeleteI appreciate this analysis as it acknowledges that there is nuance to this decision that ultimately becomes purely technical. It is not a matter of defending “cheating” in the game, but rather whether the laws and its protocols are aligned with the spirit of the game. I don’t think anyone is trying to defend Embolo’s actions, which were poorly thought out to put it mildly, but context certainly matters.
DeleteI'm sorry, failing to identify a dive is not "Mistaken Identity". The ref did not mistake someone else for Paredes. Therefore, factually, as far as the English language goes, that's not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about some shady instructions from FIFA (to favour USA and Argentina it seems), call it something else if you want to allow VAR to review this. But it's very stupid to review dives only if the opponent got a yellow card.
Isn't it kind of ridiculous that most games have VAR intervention, doesn't make referees seem that good
ReplyDeleteThe idea is good. To get the critical calls right. But the application in this WC has confused everything.
ReplyDelete