Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea
Credit: Imago / Premier Sports
Keith Hackett
Wed 11 June 2025 16:21, UK
Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez deserved to be sent off during Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Colombia, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Juan Gabriel Benitez made the right decision in the 71st minute in the early hours of Wednesday, 11 June.
Liverpool’s exit-linked winger, Luis Diaz, gave Colombia an unexpected lead against the World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL leaders, with both sides being given cautions early in the game.
Things went from bad to worse for Lionel Scaloni’s side when Fernandez was sent off for a high boot on Kevin Castano of River Plate, with the referee now being congratulated for the decision.
La Albiceleste had lost just one of their last seven competitive matches on the international stage, and despite the setback, they were not going down without a fight against Colombia.
A straight red card for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez as his high boot finds the face of a Colombian opponent 🟥
Not one for the faint-hearted 😳 pic.twitter.com/rsN7KTihLv
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 11, 2025
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Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez sees red on international duty
Despite the sending-off for Enzo Maresca‘s star, Argentina managed to secure a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires, with Thiago Almada scoring an equaliser in the final 10 minutes.
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Lionel Messi‘s side remain 10 points clear at the top of the table, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, but the moment was a dampening moment during the international window.
The 24-year-old was clearly apologetic for his actions, accidentally catching his opponent on the top of the head with his studs, but there was little he could say to reverse the decision.
With debate over whether the challenge warranted a straight red card, Hackett has weighed in with his professional opinion, which is bad news for the Chelsea midfielder.
Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea
Credit: Imago
Keith Hackett congratulates referee after Argentina v Colombia controversy
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee praised the decision and was unmoved by any potential overreaction from the player on the receiving end, saying: “It’s a spot-on decision by the referee to red-card the player for an act of serious foul play.
“Players need to recognise that they have a duty of care towards their opponent. Well done, referee.”
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett has supported Enzo Fernandez’s sending-off.
Argentina next face Venezuela and Ecuador during the September international break, hoping to gain some momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Fernandez, however, will be forced to contemplate his actions, which led to his sending-off against Colombia, with fewer opportunities to secure his spot in the starting lineup for the tournament.
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