Enzo Fernández becomes sixth player sent off in a World Cup final

Enzo Fernández, the Argentine midfielder, was shown a second yellow card and dismissed in the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday, becoming the sixth player ever to receive a red card in such a match. The incident occurred late in the second half and was reported today.

The referee issued the second yellow after Fernández had already been booked ten minutes earlier for a throwaway gesture, ending his participation in the final. The dismissal came after a second yellow for a challenge against Spain.

In injury time of the second half, Fernández charged at centre‑back Pau Cubarsí, who fell heavily to the ground. The referee immediately turned his attention to Fernández, interpreting the clash as a second bookable offence.

The earlier caution and the later second yellow meant Fernández left the pitch with ten minutes of regular time still to play. His exit added him to a short list of players sent off in a World Cup final.

He follows two compatriots, Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti, who were both dismissed in the 1990 final against West Germany. Those earlier expulsions made them the first Argentine players to see red in a World Cup final.

Subsequent finals have also produced red cards: Marcel Desailly against Brazil in 1998, Zinédine Zidane against Italy in 2006 and John Heitinga against Spain in 2010. Fernández now joins this exclusive group of six.

All developments from the Spain‑Argentina final are being tracked live on VI.