World Cup Red Card Drama
Enzo Fernández Red Card Sends Argentina, Spain to Tense World Cup Final Extra Time
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Key Points
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Lamine Yamal's late free-kick from about 22 yards curled over the wall and Emiliano Martínez produced a match-saving save to his left, keeping the score 0-0 and sending Spain-Argentina to extra time.
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Enzo Fernández was sent off after a second yellow in stoppage time for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsí; the dismissal followed an earlier yellow for dissent, and some outlets framed the decision as the correct one given the tackle and Fernandez's prior yellow.
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Lisandro Martínez suffered a thigh injury in the 44th minute and was replaced by Nicolás Otamendi, offering experienced cover for Argentina's defense as the match remained goalless at halftime.
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At halftime, Scaloni brought on Leandro Paredes for Nico González, marking a tactical adjustment as Argentina sought to strengthen midfield and defensive organization.
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Tensions spilled into the second half when Leandro Paredes shoved Rodri, triggering a scuffle around midfield as players from both sides converged toward the referee.
Spain and Argentina played to a 0-0 draw through 90 minutes of the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, forcing extra time after a dramatic, ill-tempered finish to regulation. The match's defining moment came in the 93rd minute, when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsí, leaving Argentina a man down heading into extra time, according to Yahoo Sports.
Just moments before the red card, Lamine Yamal curled a free-kick from 22 yards over the Argentine wall. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a spectacular diving save to his left to keep the score level. Spain ultimately won 1-0 in extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute to clinch Spain's second World Cup title, per Newscord.
Fernández's Red Card Makes World Cup Final History
Enzo Fernández picked up his first yellow card in the 82nd minute for dissent — furiously protesting a non-call after contact from Rodri. Then, in the 93rd minute, he lunged into Pau Cubarsí with a reckless challenge. Referee Slavko Vinčić immediately showed a second yellow, then red. Fernández became only the sixth player ever sent off in a World Cup final, according to Yahoo Sports UK.
He is also the third Argentine player dismissed in a Men's World Cup final, following Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti in the 1990 final against West Germany. BBC pundit Alan Shearer was blunt:
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