World Cup final red card still pains Enzo Fernandez
Even after three and a half months, the same incident still haunts Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez. In the 2026 Football World Cup final against Spain, he had to leave the field after being shown a red card in the final moments of the match; shortly afterwards Argentina conceded a goal and lost the match.
Appearing on a podcast in Argentina, Enzo said: 'Of course, being sent off hurts me. No player wants to leave the field after seeing a red card, especially not in a World Cup final. It was very painful.'
He said that although he has accepted it with time, he never wanted such an experience. But it has to be accepted as part of football. In his words, that red card incident still torments him.
Responding to various talk about the final, Enzo said: 'My parents called to ask what actually happened in the final. Actually nothing happened. Everything that was heard was all false and fabricated. Spain beat us, so they should be congratulated.'
In the course of the final, Enzo fell to the ground after a slight clash with Spain captain Rodri. Angered that the referee did not blow for a foul, he shouted and made various gestures, and then clapped sarcastically. He was shown his first yellow card for that.
In added time at the end of the 90 minutes, he saw a second yellow card for striking Spain defender Pau Cubarsi on the foot, which turned into a red card.
When the match went to extra time, Spain won through Ferran Torres's only goal in the 106th minute — the goal that came shortly after Enzo's red card and decided Argentina's defeat.
