Red card drama tilts World Cup final in Spain's favour

Enzo Fernández’s dismissal in the 93rd minute left Argentina a man short as the World Cup final entered extra time, tilting the balance in Spain’s favour on Sunday, the tournament’s climax, and forcing the Argentine side to cope with ten men for the remainder of the match.

The first YELLOW card for Enzo Fernández arrived in the 82nd minute after he protested a non‑call on a challenge by Spain’s Alexis Mac Allister, prompting the referee to caution him for dissent.

Earlier in the game, Lisandro Martínez was booked in the first half for tripping Mikel Oyarzabal, adding to Argentina’s disciplinary tally.

Leandro Paredes received a YELLOW after shoving Spain’s Rodri in the second half, further increasing the Argentine side’s caution count.

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FOR the second caution, an Argentina header off Emiliano Martínez’s ninth save traveled toward the Spanish goal, Spain’s Pau Cubarsí kicked the ball back, and a charging ENZO FERNÁNDEZ collided with him, sending Cubarsí flipping.

Referee Slavko Vinčić then produced a SECOND YELLOW CARD FOR ENZO FERNÁNDEZ AND HE IS SENT OFF IT THE IN EXTRA TIME, the second caution automatically becoming a red card.

Regulation time ended in a goalless draw, and the World Cup final headed into extra time with Argentina reduced to ten men.

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In the second period of extra time, Ferran Torres scored for Spain, a goal that stood as the match winner and secured Spain’s second World Cup title.

The outcome highlighted Argentina’s physical approach as costly, leaving them a man down for the entirety of extra time and underscoring the fine line between aggression and penalty on the sport’s biggest stage.