Alan Shearer didn’t hesitate after giving Enzo Fernandes a red card in the World Cup final
Enzo Fernandes shown red card for reckless challenge in World Cup final between Spain and Argentina (Image: BBC Sport)
Alan Shearer harshly criticized Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernades, who was sent off in the World Cup final against Spain. The Chelsea star was shown a yellow card midway through the first half for a challenge to a match official, and was shown a second yellow card minutes before the final whistle for a reckless foul on Pau Kvarusi.
The match headed into extra time when the 25-year-old flew into a tackle on the halfway line, but Spain did not pose much danger to his team. Kvarsi beat Fernandes to the ball, but the Argentine midfielder definitely left his mark on his opponent and tipped the Spanish defender.
Referee Slavko Vincic was quick to show Fernandes a second yellow, but the Argentine midfielder continued to admonish the referee.
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Lionel Messi and Fernandes were also seen arguing with officials and appeared to demand a red card from Marc Cucurella, who covered his mouth with his hand after the first red card incident.
Nothing was given and the Argentine midfielder was given his marching orders.
“He could have caused a lot of damage to the team, because we already know that Argentina are going to take the penalty shootout, and he has already been given a yellow card for his stupid act of backbiting the referee,” Shearer said in co-commentary.
“And when you’re yellow, you can’t, you can’t make challenges like that. That would be stupid of him, it really is.
“I mean, how stupid is Enzo Fernandes’s statement? He’s been given a yellow card for a dissent. Not for a tackle, but for a dissent. And he knows it, because that didn’t happen a long time ago.
“So it’s madness for him to take on such a challenge. He can protest as much as he wants, but it’s the right decision. The referee had only one option, and that was to give another yellow, so to give a red.”
Enzo Fernandes was slammed by Alan Shearer after being shown a red card in the World Cup final against Spain (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney also gave a brutal verdict on the red card before extra time, saying: “It’s just a stupid tackle. I think obviously he’s a bit behind, as you can see here, and when it’s a yellow card you can’t just dangle your leg and give the opponent an opportunity to get a red card.”
“Fernandes’ stupidity makes it a completely different game for Argentina to go through extra time. Spain were always in the lead, but this makes it even more difficult.”
Despite having 11 men on the pitch, Argentina did not register a single shot on goal during the 90 minutes and recorded just one touch inside Spain’s box.
Spain showed overwhelming strength with 15 shots, 10 of which were on target, and 23 touches inside the opponent’s box, but they were unable to find a way past Emi Martinez and the match went into extra time.
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