Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez came under heavy criticism after being sent off during Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, leaving his side to play with 10 men at a crucial stage of the match.
According to Football London on Monday, July 20, 2026, Fernandez received a second yellow card late in the game for a challenge on Pau Cubarsí. Replays appeared to show Cubarsí reaching the ball first, and the Argentina midfielder’s protests failed to overturn the decision.
Commentator Alan Shearer said, “He might just have cost his team massively. When you’re already on a yellow card, you cannot make a challenge like that. That is stupid from him.”
Chris Sutton described the tackle as late, while former assistant referee Darren Cann said there was “no argument,” calling it a clear second yellow card. Wayne Rooney also criticized the challenge, saying, “It’s a silly tackle. When you’re on a yellow, you can’t leave your leg in like that. It makes the game very difficult for your team.”
Fernandez’s dismissal forced Argentina to play through extra time with a numerical disadvantage after he had previously played a key role in the team’s run to the final, including scoring in the semi-final.
