Argentina's Enzo Fernandez has joined the hall of shame of players sent off in a World Cup final. Fernandez's red card during the match against West Germany on Sunday gave Argentina an unwanted record as the country with the most red cards in World Cup final history. Fernandez, who had been on the pitch for only 20 minutes, received a red card for a high tackle on West German striker Jurgen Klinsmann.
The history of red cards in World Cup finals includes several notable incidents. The first player to be sent off in a final was Argentina's Oscar Ruggeri, who was dismissed for a high tackle on Jurgen Klinsmann. Another Argentine, Pedro Monzon, followed suit in the same match, making Argentina the first team to have two players sent off in a final.
France's Zinedine Zidane is arguably the most famous player to be sent off in a World Cup final. Zidane headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final, leading to his dismissal. The incident occurred during extra time, with France and Italy locked at 1-1. Zidane's red card is particularly memorable due to his iconic status and the dramatic circumstances surrounding it.
Netherlands' John Heitinga was sent off in the 2010 final against Spain for two bookings. Despite the red card, Spain went on to win the match, with Andres Iniesta scoring the decisive goal. The 2010 final was notable for its high number of yellow cards, with referee Howard Webb issuing 14 in total.
Fernandez's red card adds to a list of infamous moments in World Cup final history. While red cards are rare in such high-stakes matches, they often leave a lasting impact on the game and the players involved. For Argentina, the incident marks another chapter in their World Cup final narrative, one that they will hope to rewrite in future tournaments.
