Enzo Fernandez provided England fans with a sense of ‘karma’ after a moment of madness during the World Cup final.
The Argentina midfielder was sent off in stoppage time against Spain after receiving two yellow cards.
His rash decision proved costly as his side went on to lose 1-0 after extra-time thanks to Ferran Torres’ winning goal.
Argentina disgraced themselves at full-time as players were seen throwing punches, but their star midfielder was the first one to lose his head.
Fernandez had earlier been booked for dissent after referee Slavko Vincic awarded a free-kick against him.
However, he could have no complaints over his second yellow card, which came with the two sides level at 0-0.
Seeing red
The Chelsea man lunged into a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi, sending the defender flying into the air.
It left Vincic with no alternative but to dismiss Fernandez, despite the protests of his team-mates.
His sending off did not prove immediately costly for Argentina as they were able to hold on to make it to extra-time.
They then survived another scare during the first half of the additional period.
Nico Williams thought he had finally broken the deadlock only for his goal to be instantly ruled out by Vincic for a foul inside the penalty area.
There would be no reprieve following the interval, though, as Torres scored inside the first minute of the second half of extra-time.
Williams had kept alive Pedro Porro’s ball into the penalty area, before it fell for Torres to fire his effort into the roof of the net.
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Karma
Fernandez’s early exit from the match came just days after the 25-year-old had mocked the Three Lions following their semi-final on Wednesday.
He scored as Argentina beat England 2-1 to book their place in the final.
Following the match, he shared a picture of himself, Lionel Messi and Leandro Paredes laughing, with Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ playing over the top.
The Britpop hit became an anthem for the England squad and their supporters during their run to the last four.
Players and fans belted out the song following their victories in North America this summer.
Fernandez had also celebrated his goal against England by cupping his ears in front of the crowd.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea were also forced to delete a post of their own player following instant supporter backlash.
Sense of ‘karma’
Fans were quick to celebrate at his expense following the red card, though, as they hoped to have the last laugh.
Reacting on X, one supporter wrote: “We all get what we deserve.
“Couldn’t have happened to a better person.”
Another added: “This is karma from his last celebration.”
Meanwhile, a third fan commented: “Enzo Fernandes sent off. Louder for the karma seekers at the back.”
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Fernandez’s dismissal saw him become only the sixth player to be shown a red card in a World Cup final.
Of those, three have been Argentina players after both Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti were sent off against West Germany in 1990.
Marcel Desailly, Zinedine Zidane and John Heitinga are the other players to have been dismissed in football’s biggest match in 1998, 2006 and 2010, respectively.
