Updated 22:53, 19 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nEnzo Fernandez was sent off(Image: JUAN MABROMATA \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
Enzo Fernandez was given his marching orders in the World Cup final to leave Argentina with 10 men against Spain. The Chelsea midfielder received a second yellow card for a foul on Pau Cubarsi.<\/p>\n
The wantaway Blues star attempted to plead his innocence by wagging his finger after being shown a red card, but did not have a leg to stand on. Fernandez produced a rash challenge on the halfway line, having been cautioned earlier in the match.<\/p>\n
Alan Shearer, on commentary for the BBC, said: “He might just have cost his team massively, because you know now that Argentina are going to try to take it to penalties. With him already being on a yellow card for something stupid – backchatting to the referee.<\/p>\n
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong> Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n “And when you’re on a yellow, you cannot, cannot make a challenge like that. That is stupid from him, it really is.”<\/p>\n
Chris Sutton was also unconvinced by Fernandez’s protests: “Enzo Fernandez is disputing this. It seemed like a pretty wild challenge. He’s late and Cubarsi gets there first.”.<\/p>\n
Former referee Darren Cann said: “There is no argument, it is a clear second yellow card and the red card is absolutely correct in my opinion. I do not expect the VAR to intervene.”<\/p>\n
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\nEnzo Fernandez fouled Pau Cubarsi and was sent off(Image: Maddie Meyer – FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Wayne Rooney was also in disbelief at Fernandez’s challenge: “It’s a silly tackle,” he said.<\/p>\n
“He is a little bit late to it. On a yellow card you can’t just dangle your leg out and give the opposition the opportunity to get you a red card. It makes it a very difficult game for Argentina to get through now, Spain were on top as it was but now it’s even more difficult.”<\/p>\n
Fernandez left his teammates with plenty of hard work after being shown red in the 93rd minute. Argentina were required to play extra time down at a one-man disadvantage, having struggled to pose any threat over the course of 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
It was of great contrast to Fernandez’s impact in the semi-final. The former Benfica ace scored against England to help his team come from behind to secure a place in the tournament’s final.<\/p>\n
Former goalkeeper Paul Robinson described Argentina as in ‘survival mode’ During extra time, he said: “Argentina still haven’t even had a shot on goal, never mind a shot on target.<\/p>\n
“Spain have been very dominant. They haven’t been overly creative with just one or two opportunities.<\/p>\n
“Emi Martinez has made one or two saves that you expect him to make. Spain are by far and away the better team and Argentina are now in survival mode.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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