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Enzo Fernández has received fierce criticism in Argentina after his dismissal contributed to Spain winning the World Cup final.
The Chelsea midfielder was sent off during second-half stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsí.
Fernández had already been cautioned for dissent and left Argentina facing extra time with ten players.
Ferran Torres then scored in the 106th minute as Spain secured a 1-0 victory and ended Argentina’s hopes of retaining the trophy.
Alan Shearer described Fernández’s decision to make the challenge while already booked as “stupid” during the BBC’s coverage.
ReadChelsea previously covered how Fernández was dismissed following the reckless challenge.
🚨 JUST IN: Enzo Fernandez received ratings of 4/10, 4/10 and 5/10 from major Argentine outlets after his World Cup final red card.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time. #CFC pic.twitter.com/PAwgCeMO6g
— ChelseaReport (@chelsreport_) July 20, 2026
Argentine media deliver brutal Fernández verdict
La Nación awarded Fernández a rating of four and said the midfielder never appeared comfortable against Spain.
The newspaper believed he played out of rhythm, offered too little going forward and went too far with the tackle at a crucial stage.
Olé also gave Fernández four out of ten. It claimed he lost his attacking influence after returning to the defensive role he occupied earlier in the tournament.
The report added that tiredness appeared to contribute to his late challenge on Cubarsí.
Clarín was slightly more generous with a rating of five, although it described the final as one of Fernández’s poorest performances of the competition.
The 25-year-old had been Argentina’s semi-final hero after scoring the late equaliser against England. His tournament ended in very different circumstances only four days later.
Fernández will now receive a period of rest before reporting back to Chelsea. Xabi Alonso must help the midfielder move on from a final which ended with criticism from pundits and the media in his home country.