Enzo Fernandez, the hero of the semi-finals, turned villain for Argentina on Sunday night when he clattered into Pau Cubarsi and earned himself a second booking to get sent off in the World Cup against Spain.
With the game tensely poised in the 93rd minute, the ball rebounded upfield after Martinez’s save. Fernandez clattered into Cubarsi, who went flying, and was given a second yellow card. His first was a silly booking for complaining at the referee.
The contact wasn’t that bad, but it was a stupid challenge from Fernandez, and there was no way this would be overturned. Referee Slavko Vincic immediately brandished a red card.
The decision drew a strong reaction on social media, with many supporters criticising the midfielder’s lack of discipline.
“Enzo Fernandez can’t protest this second yellow when he’s flirting with a red,” one user wrote. “He also can’t go into a loose ball like that in the 93rd minute with a card already.”
Another added: “Nothing to complain about. Enzo Fernandez made a mistake. The real regret is that he earned his first yellow card for cursing at the referee. The hero in the comeback against England today left Argentina with 10 men in the World Cup final.”
Incidentally, Argentina have also received more red cards in World Cup finals than any other nation in the tournament’s history. Pedro Monzón (1990), Gustavo Dezotti (1990) and Enzo Fernandez (2026).
Players to get sent off in a World Cup final:
Pedro Monzón – Argentina vs West Germany, 1990
Gustavo Dezotti – Argentina vs West Germany, 1990
Marcel Desailly – France vs Brazil, 1998
Zinedine Zidane – France vs Italy, 2006
John Heitinga – Netherlands vs Spain, 2010
Enzo Fernández – Argentina vs Spain, 2026