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Argentine media slam Enzo Fernandez after 'one of worst matches of the World Cup'

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was part of the side that lost the World Cup final to Spain

[Enzo Fernandez of Argentina]

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Argentine media have reacted to Enzo Fernandez's performance in the World Cup final(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Argentine media have delivered their verdicts on Enzo Fernandez's performance in the World Cup final. The Chelsea midfielder was sent off shortly before extra time, leaving former champions Argentina reduced to 10 men and ultimately unable to defend the trophy.

Argentina fell 1-0 to Spain, with the game decided by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, following Fernandez's dismissal. The 25-year-old received his first yellow card for disputing a call by referee Slavko Vincic before being booked again in stoppage time.

The final saw Spain dominate proceedings, with Argentina not registering a single shot until the 117th minute. The challenge of retaining the World Cup became even larger for Argentina after Fernandez received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Spain defender Pau Caubarsi ahead of extra time.

"He might just have cost his team massively, because you know now that Argentina are going to try to take it to penalties," BBC pundit Alan Shearer said on commentary, "With him already being on a yellow card for something stupid - backchatting to the referee.

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"And when you're on a yellow, you cannot, cannot make a challenge like that. That is stupid from him, it really is."

The Chelsea midfielder's performance against Spain has been heavily criticised, just days after he rescued Argentina from a semi-final exit to England. Here is how the Argentine press rated Fernandez's display.

La Nacion

La Nacion's player ratings handed Fernandez a four for his showing. The publication noted that the Chelsea star "never looked comfortable" and seemed to be "playing out of sync" with the game.

Similar criticism was directed at the rest of Argentina's midfield, though it was suggested that Fernandez became "too reserved to push forward". His challenge on Cubarsi was judged to have gone "too far", resulting in his dismissal at a "crucial moment" in the final.

[Enzo Fernandez being shown a red card]

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Enzo Fernandez was sent off after a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi(Image: Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ole

Ole's player ratings equally awarded Fernandez a four for his contributions. The publication insisted that the 25-year-old "lost his sparkle" against Spain after adopting a more defensive position, concentrating on "the dirty work role" he had taken on earlier in the competition.

Fernandez and midfield partner Alexis Mac Allister were identified as the players who "dropped furthest back". He was described as "tired and exhausted" when making his challenge on Cubarsi, which earned him a red card.

Clarin

Clarin's assessment of Fernandez's performance opened with: "The sending-off capped off one of his worst matches of the tournament. " Awarding him a rating of five, Clarin maintained that Fernandez "failed to perform" in central midfield.

The report added that he "offered little in attack" after being deployed in a more advanced position following Leandro Paredes' introduction at the break. It was suggested that the protests Fernandez made for his first yellow card were "perhaps exaggerated by the referee", yet he was ultimately sent off following "a late challenge" on Cubarsi.

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