Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute of regular time in the World Cup final – leaving Argentina in the lurch.
The Chelsea midfielder was given a second yellow card for a late challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi by the halfway line and dismissed with minutes to go before extra-time.
He protested his innocence vehemently – as did his team-mates Lionel Messi and Facundo Medina – but it was hard to argue against the decision of referee Slavko Vincic.
Wayne Rooney said on the BBC: ‘A silly tackle. He’s a little bit late to it. On a yellow card you can’t just dangle your leg out. It makes it a very different game now.’
Fernandez’s dismissal rounded off an abysmal 90 minutes for the 2022 champions, who had no shots compared to Spain’s 15.
His team-mate Leandro Paredes was perhaps lucky to avoid a second yellow moments after for a foul on the edge of the box as Argentina continued their vicious style of play.
Lamine Yamal tested the goalkeeper Lisandro Martinez from that free-kick but La Albiceleste held on to force an additional 30 minutes at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Messi, who has eight goals at the World Cup, was largely anonymous throughout regular time.
Fernandez has proven a crucial player at the heart of midfield for Lionel Scalino throughout the campaign.
The 25-year-old ironically scored a 93rd-minute winner in the last 16 against Egypt and netted Argentina’s equaliser against England in the semi-finals.
Spain came flying out of the blocks in extra-time and substitute Nico Williams thought he had put Spain ahead after the restart, but the goal was ruled out for a foul, seemingly for a dubious one on Nicolas Otamendi.
More to follow.
