On Monday, Fernandez highlighted the Albiceleste’s effort throughout the World Cup, emphasizing that they “always stepped up” and competed to the maximum. “When time passes, you understand that there is something much bigger than a result,” Fernandez expressed via his Instagram profile.

The midfielder, sent off near the end of regulation time during Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain, which also ended in a brawl, did not refer to the red card itself. “For years this group has represented in the best way,” Fernandez added. “It teaches that competing is not just about winning, but about leaving everything for the shirt, and never dropping your hands.”

Enzo’s pride

Fernandez has consistently demonstrated his commitment when playing for Argentina, acting as one of the players who brings the most passion and energy while delivering key appearances for the national team. He expressed his pride in “being part of this group that always stepped up, that competed to the maximum, and that defended these colors with pride, humility, and commitment.”

“I want to thank all the Argentine fans. Thank you for always being there, for accompanying us in every match, for the affection, for the unconditional support, and for making us feel at home anywhere in the world,” the Chelsea player added. “Wearing my country’s shirt is the greatest honor of my career, and I will continue giving everything every time I get to defend it.”

Fernandez, along with the rest of the squad, chose not to speak in the mixed zone at New York/New Jersey Stadium following the match against Spain. However, on the afternoon of July 20, he broke his silence on social media, signaling the deep pain stemming from the final loss.

What did Lionel Scaloni say about Enzo Fernandez’s red card?

During the post-match press conference, head coach Lionel Scaloni was asked about the red card, responding that from his point of view, the referee could have avoided issuing the first yellow.

“I think the referee could have avoided the first yellow card to Enzo Fernandez,” Scaloni stated. “Logically, it’s a World Cup final, and I think there are things that could be avoided, but that’s it; there are no reproaches.”

Following Fernandez’s dismissal, the complexion of the match shifted dramatically as Argentina were forced to navigate the pitch down to 10 men. While the tactical fallout from the red card raises several questions about Argentina’s late-game approach, Scaloni was candid in his post-match assessment, admitting that Spain were simply the superior team on the day.

Prior to his ejection, Fernandez failed to spark the offense or create dangerous chances in the final third. His struggles mirrored a broader toothless attack, as a dominant Spain completely stifled the Albiceleste and prevented them from registering a single shot on target.

An emotional Scaloni grew visibly choked up when discussing Lionel Messi and what likely marks the legendary playmaker’s final World Cup appearance. While the final presented a golden opportunity for Scaloni to secure back-to-back global titles, Scaloni’s immediate future with the national team is now shrouded in uncertainty after he abruptly walked out of the press conference in tears.

Scaloni’s tenure with Argentina

Despite falling just short against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Scaloni’s historic six-year run at the helm has solidified Argentina as a global powerhouse. Here is a look at the remarkable numbers compiled during his tenure:

Now, in the wake of the heartbreaking defeat, Argentina will fly back to Buenos Aires on Monday. Despite the sting of losing the final, a massive turnout is expected from the home supporters, who are ready to embrace the squad and celebrate a gritty tournament run.

The first yellow card came in the 82nd minute for unsporting behavior following a sequence of repeated fouls. He then crossed the line in the 90+2 minute of stoppage time, picking up a second yellow after a hard collision with Marc Cubarsi.

A VAR check briefly delayed play to review a potential infraction under the ‘Vinicius Law’—which penalizes players for covering their mouths while exchanging words with an opponent—involving Marc Cucurella and Lionel Messi. Ultimately, no further action was taken, sending the match into extra time to decide the World Cup champion.

Several other players were cautioned during the match, including Leandro Paredes, Lisandro Martinez, and Cristian Romero, all from Argentina. Romero received his booking from the bench for dissent after being substituted off due to an injury.

Players that have been sent off in a World Cup final

Fernandez joins a notorious list of players who have been sent off on international soccer’s biggest stage. The most famous instance remains Zinedine Zidane, who received a straight red card in 2006 for his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi.

Here are all the players who have been sent off in a World Cup final:

• Pedro Monzon (Argentina) — 1990 vs. West Germany
• Gustavo Dezotti (Argentina) — 1990 vs. West Germany
• Marcel Desailly (France) — 1998 vs. Brazil
• Zinedine Zidane (France) — 2006 vs. Italy
• John Heitinga (Netherlands) — 2010 vs. Spain
• Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) — 2026 vs. Spain

After a scoreless first half, Argentina and England played out a highly tactical and grueling battle at Atlanta Stadium. Unfortunately for La Albiceleste, the second half began with a severe setback.

Anthony Gordon struck in the 55th minute to put England ahead. However, with less than ten minutes remaining in regulation, Lionel Messi produced two moments of pure magic, providing two crucial assists to spearhead a dramatic turnaround and send Argentina back to the World Cup final, where they will face Spain.

Thomas Tuchel unable to hold the advantage

England broke the deadlock early in the second half through a brilliant goal by Anthony Gordon. The newly signed Barcelona forward sneaked in behind Nahuel Molina to poke home a perfectly placed cross from Morgan Rogers.

Falling behind sparked Argentina into life; they immediately seized control of the game and dominated possession, launching wave after wave of attacks. While Jordan Pickford made several fine saves to keep the Three Lions ahead, the South Americans’ relentless persistence ultimately overwhelmed England’s retreating defensive line.

Thomas Tuchel attempted to exploit spaces on the counter-attack to find a second goal, but England struggled to retain the ball under intense pressure. While the German tactician tried to consolidate a defensive block, Lionel Scaloni’s aggressive attacking adjustments ultimately paved the way for an epic comeback.

The 2026 World Cup enters its final act

With the second semifinal officially decided, reigning champions Argentina will now face Spain in a blockbuster grand final, where their historical head-to-head World Cup record gives La Albiceleste a slight psychological edge.

Meanwhile, England must pick themselves up for a third-place play-off against France. The Three Lions’ inability to protect their lead means their agonizing wait for a World Cup trophy since 1966 will extend for at least another four years.

“I had been waiting for this goal for around three years after Qatar, hoping to experience moments like this. I thank God because I feel privileged. We have a phenomenal group, we are always together. I want to thank the coaching staff and the people who support us,” he said to the press once the game concluded.

“One more step. I have incredible teammates, with unbelievable quality. That winning mentality was on display in the final minute. Four years have passed since Qatar; we came here to enjoy the moment and try to win it all again. We are going after that goal.”

Lionel Messi once again delivered on the biggest stage. The No. 10 scored his eighth goal of the tournament, finding the equalizer to make it 2-2 and paving the way for Argentina’s comeback victory over the Pharaohs, finally eliminating Egypt.

What’s next for Argentina?

Argentina secured their place in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory. Who, when, and where will they play next in the 2026 World Cup?

Now it will be time to take a step back and calmly watch the match between Colombia and Switzerland. The winner of that clash will become Argentina’s next opponent in the quarterfinals, which will be played on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, United States.

Nahuel Molina Lucero, Julian Alvarez, and Giuliano Simeone have been left out of the squad after failing to complete the required health documentation related to the yellow fever vaccination needed for entry into Angola.

The only players from Spanish clubs who successfully completed their vaccination paperwork on time are midfielder Thiago Almada and forward Nicolas Gonzalez, both currently participating in Argentina’s training sessions in Alicante, Spain.

Scaloni will now have to determine who will replace the three absentees, though the same vaccination requirements could complicate any new call-ups. For instance, Marcos Acuna, who received a fifth yellow card in the Superclasico between River Plate and Boca Juniors — a match Boca won — would face similar eligibility issues.

Leandro Paredes’ case, however, is different. Despite Boca Juniors already qualifying for both the 2025 Torneo Clausura playoffs and the upcoming Copa Libertadores, Scaloni and AFA president Claudio Tapia have decided not to include players from the domestic league for Argentina’s November squad at this time.

Another key absence for a different reason

Argentina will not only miss those three players but will also be without one of their most influential midfielders, Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea. The team will lose a player who contributes on both ends — creating, recovering, and linking play seamlessly with Messi on the field.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced in a brief statement that Enzo Fernandez is suffering from bone edema in his right knee and will remain in London to continue his recovery with Chelsea. His absence is a major blow, as he has been one of the key figures in Argentina’s midfield balance.

Scaloni will have 22 players available for this friendly, with Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez returning to the squad after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, and Kevin Mac Allister — brother of Alexis Mac Allister — joining from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Also, Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa is one of the latest players to join the Argentina national team.

It marks Messi’s comeback to the Argentina national team after missing one of the previous qualifier windows due to an injury that kept him sidelined. The captain now returns fully recovered and is expected to bring his trademark intensity and determination as the team closes out the qualifying campaign, although he did feature for a few minutes in the last match against Colombia.

Argentina will likely test new players in these matches to expand their options heading into the next World Cup, which could also prove advantageous for their opponents. Venezuela need a victory against Argentina to keep their hopes of direct qualification alive, or at the very least, secure a crucial result. For now, they sit seventh, holding a playoff spot.

Ecuador, on the other hand, are already mathematically qualified and sit second behind Argentina. They will look to close their campaign in style with a win while also measuring themselves in what could be a preview of their potential at the next World Cup. Ecuador have been one of the toughest teams for Lionel Scaloni’s side to face.

Who is the big absentee from the squad list?

Even though Argentina will have their captain back in the lineup, Scaloni faces a major setback with the absence of Enzo Fernandez. The Chelsea midfielder, a World Cup winner in 2022, has been left out of the squad in a surprising development.

However, the decision is not due to performance or personal reasons. According to journalist Gaston Edul, Fernandez is unavailable because he must serve a two-match suspension after being sent off against Colombia for a harsh tackle on Kevin Castano.

The reigning world champions will fight for victories as they always do, but the task becomes more complicated without one of their most important midfielders. That said, Scaloni has depth to cover the loss, with options like Exequiel Palacios, Alan Varela, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, or even younger, more creative profiles such as Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono, and Thiago Almada. The final decision remains in the coach’s hands.

Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez didn’t hesitate to send off the Chelsea midfielder, who immediately apologized to Castaño and stayed closed until the Colombian player got back on his feet.

Curiously, Fernandez is a product of River Plate, which is Castaño’s current team. In addition, as if this coincidence wasn’t enough, the venue of this game happens to be the Mas Monumental Stadium, home to the Argentine giants.

Fernandez joins Messi in unfortunate list with Scaloni’s Argentina

With this red card, Enzo Fernandez became just the third player to be sent off in Argentina during Lionel Scaloni’s tenure as head coach. Surprisingly, one of the players who makes that list is none other than Lionel Messi.

The Inter Miami superstar left his side down to 10 men during the third place match of the 2019 Copa America, following a heated exchange with Chilean veteran Gary Medel on the field.

The second player to see the red card under Scaloni was Nicolas Gonzalez, who got sent off for a similar reason as Fernandez. In March 2025, a high boot against Uruguay forced him to watch the remainder of the game from the sidelines. Argentina won that game 1-0, regardless. Believe it or not, the goal scorer that day was Thiago Almada, who also found the net against Colombia.

According to ESPN, all seems to be forgiven in the case of Enzo Fernandez. Despite being unfollowed by French teammates on Instagram and facing huge backlash over a video where he and his Argentine teammates mocked French players because of their ethnicity, Fernandez appears to have found favor again.

In a recent friendly against Real Madrid, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gave Enzo Fernandez the captain’s armband and seems to have promoted him to vice-captain of the squad.

Enzo Fernandez: From Villain to Leader at Chelsea

The atmosphere around the former River Plate player changed significantly, according to The Times. Just over a week after his return to Chelsea (when there was even speculation about Fernandez possibly being transferred), he was chosen by his teammates as vice-captain, behind Reece James.

“He’s one of the important players. To be honest, I think when we changed Reece, he gave the bracelet [captain’s armband] to Enzo, and this shows how Enzo is respected inside the squad. I think it’s quite clear,” Maresca stated after the game.

Maresca added, “I spoke with Enzo, but as I said, I spoke with all of them. The situation is quite clear. He already made a statement apologizing, and the club did the same.”

In a quick recap of the events, following the celebrations for winning the 2024 Copa America, midfielder Enzo Fernandez started a live stream on his Instagram account. During the broadcast, chants were heard that several of his African teammates deemed racist.

As a result, several of Fernandez’ teammates expressed their discontent and even unfollowed him on social media. This sparked a major uproar in the football world, with all eyes turning to Chelsea and the decision the club’s management would ultimately make.

Initially, the midfielder issued a public apology on his social media accounts and followed up with personal apologies to his teammates. In response, Chelsea took immediate action by publicly addressing the situation and launching an internal disciplinary procedure to investigate the incident.

Chelsea’s decision on Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea are currently on their preseason tour in the United States. After a break following the Copa America, midfielder Enzo Fernandez rejoined the squad in Atlanta. As a first step, Fernandez personally apologized to his teammates face-to-face.

According to The Guardian, Fernandez met with his teammates, led by captain Reece James, and offered his apologies in person. His teammates, including Fofana and Disasi, accepted his apologies.

Fernandez has offered to make a substantial donation to an anti-discrimination charity, which will be facilitated through the Chelsea Foundation. Chelsea has pledged to match Fernandez’ contribution, acknowledging the maturity and responsibility he demonstrated upon his return. It is understood that the internal disciplinary process has concluded, with the club considering the matter resolved.

Chelsea’s North American tour

Chelsea continues their preparations for the new season of the English Premier League with their ongoing tour in the USA. The team still has three friendly matches scheduled, which will serve as critical tests before the competitive season begins:

• vs Club America – July 31st, Mercedes Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• vs Manchester City – August 3rd, Ohio Stadium (Ohio)
• vs Real Madrid – August 6th, Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)

Chelsea, in particular, had a challenging offseason, marked by a series of off-field controversies. Despite the distractions, the club has officially kicked off its preparations for the upcoming English Premier League season.

Enzo Maresca and his team are anticipating the return of midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is scheduled to rejoin the club’s preseason training on Monday, July 29. Fernandez’ return comes after a recent controversy with his teammates who interpreted racial connotations on a live broadcast of the Argentine player.

Following the controversy, the English press has been rife with speculation. Numerous reports suggested that BlueCO, the consortium owning Chelsea, was considering offloading the former River Plate star during the current transfer window.

However, recent comments from Chelsea’s head coach, have helped to ease the tension within the club. Maresca’s statements have clarified the situation and, for now, have alleviated concerns about Fernandez’ future at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are evaluating the possibility of transferring some players who publicly criticized the World Cup winner. Among those under consideration for departure are Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana and Albanian striker Armando Broja, both of whom are currently deemed surplus to the club’s requirements.

Also French Malang Sarr, who expressed his displeasure with Fernandez—evident from his decision to unfollow him on Instagram—has already concluded his departure from Chelsea. The defender is set to join Racing Club de Lens in Ligue 1.

Chelsea’s transfer list: Players targeted for departure

In a bid to stabilize its finances, Chelsea are targeting the sale or loan of at least 14 players this transfer window. According to reports from The Mirror, the club’s management has deemed the following players as surplus to requirements:

• Romelu Lukaku
• Kepa Arrizabalaga
• Trevoh Chalobah
• Conor Gallagher
• Djordge Petrovic
• Cesare Casadei

Chelsea’s U.S. tour

Chelsea’s preseason preparations are well underway, and the team has already faced their first test. In their opening match, Chelsea suffered a 4-1 defeat against Celtic, highlighting areas for improvement as they continue their buildup to the new season.

With Enzo Fernandez now integrated into the squad, Chelsea’s upcoming matches will offer further opportunities to refine tactics and build team cohesion. The remaining fixtures on their U.S. tour include:

• vs America – July 31st
• vs Manchester City – August 3rd
• vs Real Madrid – August 6th
• vs Inter Milan – August 10th