Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez has etched his name into a rare and unwanted chapter of football history. During the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, Fernandez was shown a red card, becoming only the sixth player ever to be dismissed in a World Cup final match.
This incident also marks a significant milestone for Argentina, as Fernandez becomes the third player from the nation to be sent off in a final. He follows in the footsteps of Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti, who both received red cards during the 1990 final against West Germany. The tournament had not seen a player dismissed in a final for approximately 16 years prior to this match.
The history of red cards in World Cup finals includes: 1990: Pedro Monzon (Argentina); 1990: Gustavo Dezotti (Argentina); 1998: Marcel Desailly (France); 2006: Zinedine Zidane (France); 2010: John Heitinga (Netherlands); and 2026: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina).
The starting lineups for the final featured Argentina in a 4-3-3 formation: Emiliano Martinez (goalkeeper), Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Lionel Messi (captain), Julian Alvarez, and Nicolas Gonzalez.
Spain lined up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation: Unai Simon (goalkeeper), Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Aleix Baena, Lamine Yamal, and Mikel Oyarzabal.
