Alan Shearer did not hold back in his criticism of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he was sent off in the World Cup final against Spain. The Chelsea star received a yellow card in the first half for dissent and then a second yellow for a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi just minutes before the final whistle.
Fernandez's Reckless Challenge
The game was heading towards extra time when the 25-year-old launched into a tackle on the halfway line, with Spain posing no immediate threat. Cubarsi got to the ball first, but Fernandez upended the Spanish defender, leaving the referee no choice but to show a second yellow card. Fernandez protested the decision, but the red card stood.
Shearer's Verdict
Speaking on co-commentary, Shearer said: "He might just have cost his team massively, because you know now that Argentina are going to try to take it to penalties. With him already being on a yellow card for something stupid - backchatting to the referee. And when you're on a yellow, you cannot, cannot make a challenge like that. That is stupid from him, it really is."
Shearer added: "I mean how daft is that from Enzo Fernandez? He's on a yellow card for dissent. Not for the tackle, for dissent. And he knows that, because that didn't happen long ago. So 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. Gave the referee only one choice, and that was to issue another yellow - therefore the red."
Rooney's Take
Wayne Rooney also gave a brutal verdict on the red card ahead of extra time, saying: "It's just a silly tackle. I think he's obviously a little bit late to it as we see here, and on a yellow card you can't just dangle your leg out and give the opposition an opportunity to get you a red card. It's silly from Fernandez and it makes it a very different game now for Argentina to get through extra time. Spain were on top as it was, but this makes it even more difficult."
Argentina now face an uphill battle to overcome Spain in extra time, with Fernandez's dismissal leaving them a man down. The match, which was already tense, has taken a dramatic turn as the defending champions seek to reach penalties.
