Enzo Fernandez: "We would have beaten Spain on penalties in the World Cup final"

Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez has broken his silence on the 2026 World Cup final, played on July 19, in which Spain beat Argentina 1-0 to claim their second world title. The Manchester City player, sent off in the 93rd minute of that match, believes the outcome would have been different if the trophy had been decided from the penalty spot. In an interview with Argentine journalists Gaston and Esteban Edul, the World Cup winner from Qatar 2022 stated that a shootout clearly favored the Albiceleste.

• Enzo Fernandez claims Argentina would have beaten Spain if the 2026 World Cup final had gone to penalties.
• The midfielder highlights Dibu Martinez, whom he considers unbeatable from twelve yards despite playing through injury.
• He denies any kind of conflict in the Argentine dressing room after the defeat, calling reports "a lie."
• He acknowledges Spain were the better side during the match but stands by his belief about the hypothetical shootout outcome.
• The Manchester City player confirms his intention to return to River Plate in the future.

The Dibu Martinez factor in a hypothetical penalty shootout

Enzo Fernandez's confidence in an Argentine victory from the spot rests on the presence of Emiliano Martinez between the posts. The Aston Villa goalkeeper, hero of the Qatar 2022 final against France, is dealing with physical issues, but the City midfielder has no doubts about his performance under maximum pressure.

We would have won on penalties. Obviously. We had Dibu. We knew he doesn't miss there. Even though he played injured and had no mobility in his finger. What Dibu does is crazy, incredible, he's an animal.

The words of the former Chelsea player highlight the significant role Martinez has taken on in decisive shootouts. His performance in the Qatar final, with crucial saves and an intimidating presence that unsettled French takers, made him a global reference in this aspect of the game. For Enzo Fernandez, that track record made Argentina favorites if the match against Spain had reached sudden death from the penalty mark.

Spain's superiority and the sending-off that shaped the final

Despite his conviction about the shootout, the Argentine midfielder openly admits Spain's dominance during the ninety minutes. The team coached by Luis de la Fuente controlled the match and found the goal that secured the title, leaving Argentina with no chance to respond. Enzo Fernandez's own sending-off in stoppage time sealed the Albiceleste's fate.

No crisis in the Argentine dressing room

After the final defeat, reports circulated about alleged internal tensions within the Argentina national team. Enzo Fernandez addressed those rumors firmly and denied them outright. For the Manchester City midfielder, there were no issues whatsoever among the squad members after the match against Spain.

The statement aims to put an end to any speculation about divisions within a group that has won the Copa America and the World Cup in recent years. The Argentine dressing room, led by Leo Messi, has shown remarkable cohesion during the Scaloni era, and Enzo Fernandez insists that unity remains intact despite the painful outcome in the World Cup final.

Messi's farewell and the future at River Plate

The 2026 World Cup final was also marked by Leo Messi's farewell from the Argentina national team. Enzo Fernandez described that moment as "an immense pain," reflecting the emotional impact of the captain's goodbye after a legendary international career. The end of the Messi era opens a new chapter for Argentina, with Enzo Fernandez expected to be one of the leaders of the future.

In his interview, the midfielder also looked ahead to his club career and made a statement that will excite River Plate fans. A product of the Millonario youth academy, Enzo Fernandez does not hide his desire to return to the club where he grew up. His move to Europe came in 2022 with Benfica, from where he joined Chelsea in January 2023 for 121 million euros. Last summer, Manchester City paid 145 million for his transfer and signed him to a contract until 2031.

A River Plate return on the horizon

I am sure I will return to River. I need to go back to win things and enjoy the River world for more years than I was there.

Enzo Fernandez's promise reflects a deep bond with the club from the Nunez neighborhood, where he played just one season in the first team before making the leap to European football. His short spell at River, cut short by the sale to Benfica, left the feeling of an unfinished chapter. The 25-year-old is under contract with Manchester City until 2031, which places any potential return in the distant future, but his wish to wear the red sash again is expressed without hesitation.