Argentina actually received two red cards in World Cup final
Enzo Fernandez wasn't the only Argentinian player to receive a red card at the 2026 World Cup final.
Pandemonium unfolded on the pitch following Spain's 1-0 victory at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (19 July), which resulted in another ace being booked.
Reports claim that after midfielder Leandro Paredes seemingly saw red, the referee flashed him a card of the same colour after the final whistle had been blown.
The concluding game of the international football tournament has been marred by controversy following the conduct of players on the pitch, which pundits have branded a 'disgrace'.
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Football stars exchanged blows, while Argentina put on a perfect display of what being sore losers is like after rudely turning their backs on the Spanish team while they received their medals.
Former England captain Stuart Pearce said of this moment: "When Spain were about to lift their trophy, the Argentinians, to a man, all stood with their back to the trophy lift. That probably tells you a great deal, doesn’t it?"
His talkSPORT co-host Adrian Durham then added: "Yeah, no class, whatsoever. They’ve been absolutely shocking. They’ve been a total disgrace here today. The fans, we think have been brilliant. But even during the trophy lift, also when Rodri went up to get the best player in the tournament trophy, the fans were singing Messi’s name and they were singing Argentina as well."
During the game, Fernandez, 25, received a red card just before extra time, which put even further pressure on the ailing Argentinian players.
Analysing the Chelsea midfielder's behaviour that led to him being sent off during the World Cup final, BBC pundit Alan Shearer said: "How daft is that from Enzo Fernandez?
“He is on a yellow card for dissent, not the tackle, but for dissent. He knows that, because that didn’t happen long ago. For him to go into a challenge like that is crazy.
"He can protest as much as he wants. But it’s the right decision. He gave the referee only one choice, and that was to show another yellow there for the red."
Fernandez raised his hands above his head as he walked off the pitch, in what has been viewed as a gesture of apology towards fans.
But he wasn't the only one to get booked, as his teammate Paredes was also slapped with a red card after he was seen shoving Spain’s Eric Garcia in the throat, reports claim.
Paredes, 32, then grappled with 21-year-old Spanish star Gavi, who ended up on the ground. The Argentinian player had a grip of him by his substitute bib and appeared to push him in the face.
It came as defender Nahuel Molina appeared to take a swing at Spain's captain Rodri and is said to have struck him in the stomach.
Paredes came on at half-time and shortly after he was shown a yellow card for a hard foul by referee Slavko Vincic - but his post-match antics are believed to have been the final nail in his coffin.
Paredes 'threw two or three haymakers'
This could spell trouble for him in the future, as FIFA's rule book states that: "Any suspension that cannot be served during the FIFA World Cup 26 will be carried over to the representative team’s next official match in accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code."
Sharing his characterisation of the incident involving Paredes, pundit Alan Shearer said: "Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone's face. He went for them. There is no place or space for that.
"We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible."
Messi stood in tears in front of Argentina’s fans after collecting the runners-up medal, while President Donald Trump managed to squeeze himself into another celebration shot.
Where is the next World Cup?
Morocco, Portugal and Spain will co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, marking the football tournament’s 100th anniversary.
It’s set to run from 8 June 2030 to 21 July 2030, making it the longest World Cup in history at 44 days.
FIFA also announced that three separate matches will take place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, as a tribute to the first-ever World Cup back in 1930.
Olivia Burke