Enzo Fernandez sent off after committing World Cup horror tackle, as Argentina vs Spain enters extra-time
Argentina vs Spain delivered an enjoyable second half of 2026 World Cup Final football, with the latter being the dominant force, but an Enzo Fernandez horror tackle stained the occasion past the 90th.
Spain began second half proceedings with a flurry of close calls, none of which materialised into serious chances.
The Spanish were narrowly thwarted after a near brilliant moment of in-box intricacy, then Marc Cucurella was denied a clear-cut shot right on the edge of the six-yard box by an Argentinian tackle.
Enzo Fernandez sent off after committing World Cup horror tackle, as Argentina vs Spain enters extra-time
The Argentinians were also punished for their behaviour early on, after Ian Wright expressed discontent with the standard of refereeing at half-time.
Leandro Paredes was booked for unsporting behaviour after repeated shoving directly in view of referee Slavko Vincic.
Spain were then awarded two free-kicks in quick succession right on the corner of the Argentinian box, but failed to capitalise on either opportunity.
By the 65th-minute, the ITV broadcast pointed out that Argentina had failed to have an attempt of any kind throughout the entire match, as Spain’s onslaught continued. By the 70th, Lionel Messi’s men had managed merely one touch in their opposition’s penalty area.
That pressure continued until the 90th, when Argentina posed a brief but unrewarding attack, failing yet again to register a shot.
But the only real talking point of the game came in second-half injury time as Enzo Fernandez received his marching orders for his second yellow card in just ten minutes.
The Chelsea midfielder received his first for dissent, and then went in with a clear late on Pau Cubarsi to earn himself a red card. He had only himself to blame for his sheer stupidity.
Despite protest from his fellow Argentinians, and a brief check by VAR, the booking stood.
The 2026 World Cup Final has now entered extra-time, after a Lamine Yamal free-kick was saved by Emi Martinez in the dying embers.
Argentina will play on with 10 men, having failed to register a shot for the entirety of the match so far.
