Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez joined an unwanted list on Sunday after being sent off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain.
His red card also gave Argentina an unwanted record, making them the team with the most dismissals in World Cup final history.
Here are the other players who have been sent off in a World Cup final:
Pedro Monzon (Argentina) – 1990
Pedro Monzon became the first player ever to be sent off in a World Cup final.
He had been on the field for only 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute when he produced a high challenge on West Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann. Referee Edgardo Codesal showed him a straight red card.
Later in the same final, another Argentina player was also sent off.
Gustavo Dezotti (Argentina) – 1990
Gustavo Dezotti received a second yellow card after colliding with West Germany defender Jurgen Kohler.
It was the second red card for Argentina in the 1990 final, which they lost 1-0 to West Germany.
Marcel Desailly (France) – 1998
France defender Marcel Desailly was sent off during his country’s famous 3-0 win over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final.
Already on a yellow card for arguing with the referee, Desailly picked up a second booking after fouling Brazil captain Cafu, leaving France to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
After the match, Desailly admitted he feared his dismissal could cost France the title.
“I thought the whole country would blame me if we lost,” he later recalled.
Fortunately for him, France held on comfortably to lift their first World Cup trophy.
Zinedine Zidane (France) – 2006
Zinedine Zidane’s red card in the 2006 final remains one of the most famous moments in World Cup history.
Playing the final match of his career, Zidane was sent off in extra time after headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi following a heated exchange between the two.
Although the referee and assistant referee missed the incident, the fourth official spotted it and informed the referee, who showed Zidane a red card.
France eventually lost the final to Italy in a penalty shootout.
Despite the incident, Zidane received widespread support in France, with many praising everything he had achieved for the national team.
John Heitinga (Netherlands) – 2010
Netherlands defender John Heitinga was sent off in the 2010 World Cup final after receiving two yellow cards against Spain.
The match was a physical contest, with referee Howard Webb handing out 14 yellow cards.
Just minutes after Heitinga’s dismissal, the player he had fouled, Andres Iniesta, scored the winning goal in extra time to hand Spain their first World Cup title.
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) – 2026
Enzo Fernandez became the latest player to be sent off in a World Cup final after receiving two yellow cards against Spain.
His dismissal left Argentina with 10 men during extra time, and Ferran Torres later scored the only goal of the match to give Spain a 1-0 victory.
Fernandez’s red card also meant Argentina became the nation with the most dismissals in World Cup final history.
