Late drama! Enzo Fernandez was sent off as Argentina were reduced to 10 men ahead of the final World Cup extra time

Referee Slavko Vincic shows a red card to Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) during the World Cup final. (AP photo) The 2026 FIFA World Cup final brought late drama before extra time as Argentina were forced to play another 30 minutes with 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time against Spain.With the score 0-0 in the 90th minute, Fernandez received a second yellow card in the 93rd minute for a late challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi, leaving Lionel Messi a man down at the most important stage in the title race.The incident occurred moments after Argentina survived another Spanish attack. The ball was cleared back into the box after Emiliano Martinez’s tackle, but as Argentina tried to start their own forward movement, Fernandez arrived late and caught Cubarsi with a reckless challenge.Without hesitation, the referee showed the midfielder a second yellow card despite protests from Fernandez.Forced to defend the final moments of normal time with 10 men, Argentina entered extra time where they faced an even greater challenge against a Spanish side that dominated possession throughout the game.

Spain dominate but Martinez keeps Argentina alive

Spain controlled the match for long periods, producing a commanding display against the defending champions.La Roja finished regular time with 15 shots to Argentina’s zero, nine corners to Argentina’s one and overwhelming possession. Yet they were unable to find a breakthrough against the inspired Emiliano Martinez.The Argentine goalkeeper put in a record performance in the final, making 10 saves – the most in a World Cup final – to keep his team alive.One of his biggest saves came immediately after Fernandez was sent off, when Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal rose to take a dangerous free-kick from around 22 yards. The 19-year-old’s curling effort looked destined for a corner but Martinez produced a stunning dive to deny it.The goalkeeper immediately jumped to his feet, punched the air and urged the crowd to increase the noise inside the stadium.

The historic goalless final reached a thrilling extra time

The deadlock after 90 minutes added another chapter to the history of the World Cup finals.The match was the ninth World Cup final to remain goalless at half-time, joining previous classics such as Spain v Netherlands in 2010 and Germany v Argentina in 2014.He already set a unique record in the first half, with just three total shots — the fewest in the first half of a World Cup final since 1966.Argentina also became the first team since 1966 to fail to register a first-half shot in any World Cup match.While Spain continued their quest for a second World Cup title after their triumph in 2010, Argentina were chasing a fourth crown and hoping to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the trophy.