Enzo Fernandez Sent Off in World Cup Final as Argentina Falls to Spain
Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the World Cup final after the Argentina and Chelsea midfielder received two yellow cards in the span of 10 minutes against Spain.
Fernandez, who netted Argentina’s equaliser against England in the semi-finals, was dismissed by referee Slavko Vincic as the match headed towards extra time.
Fernandez protests to referee Slavko Vincic after his red card (Reuters)
The 25-year-old received his first yellow card in the 82nd minute. Following a slight touch from Spain’s Rodri, Fernandez reacted angrily when he did not receive a free kick, waving his arms towards the referee. Vincic stopped play and booked Fernandez for dissent, who further risked punishment by clapping sarcastically.
Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Fernandez was late in his challenge against Spain’s Pau Cubarsi. As he chased a clearance, he clipped Cubarsi’s shin and leg, causing the player to fall.
“It’s stupid from him, it really is,” said Alan Shearer on the BBC. Fernandez attempted to contest the decision, gesturing for a VAR review. It took several minutes for him to exit the pitch, during which he raised his hands in apology to Argentina fans before kicking a pitch-side microphone in frustration.
Fernandez became the sixth player to be sent off in a men’s World Cup final and the third from Argentina. He joins Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti (both Argentina, 1990), Marcel Desailly (France, 1998), Zinedine Zidane (France, 2006), and John Heitinga (Netherlands, 2010).
Fernandez was previously booked for dissent (Reuters)
Fernandez’s challenge sent Cubarsi flying (Reuters)
Fernandez kicks a microphone as he leaves the pitch (Reuters)
Ultimately, super sub Ferran Torres clinched Spain’s second men’s World Cup title as Argentina, reduced to 10 men, faced a 1-0 defeat in extra time. The highly anticipated final saw a strong defensive performance from Argentina, but they failed to produce a single shot on goal during regular play, relying on goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to keep Spain from scoring.
Argentina’s struggles continued after losing Fernandez to a second yellow card just before extra time, with standout performances from Spain’s creative players, sealing the game when Torres scored early in the second half of extra time. Argentina’s lackluster performance starkly contrasted with their impressive semi-final victory over England earlier in the week.
The final whistle ignited celebrations in the Spanish camp, while it appeared to signal the end of 39-year-old Lionel Messi’s illustrious World Cup career.