Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said his country Argentina represented itself 'in the best possible way' at the 2026 World Cup, where it reached the final before losing 0-1 to Spain on Sunday after extra time, a match in which the English Chelsea star was sent off.

The 25-year-old received a red card after a second yellow card following his violent tackle on Pau Cubarsi in the final minutes of regulation time of the final match, which was held in East Rutherford, near New York.

His dismissal was part of a series of incidents that cast a shadow over Argentina in the final, which witnessed a real brawl after the final whistle, led by his midfield teammate Leandro Paredes, who threw punches at members of the Spanish team while they were celebrating their victory, prompting the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to open an investigation into the possibility of disciplinary violations following the unsightly scenes that followed the match.

The Argentine players also turned their backs on the Spanish team while their players received their medals and the cup.

The Argentine team also sparked controversy when its players raised a banner that read 'The Malvinas (Falkland) Islands are Argentine' after their victory over England in the semi-final.

Argentina invaded the British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1982, but Britain recaptured it after a short war, after then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent a naval task force.

Fernandez turned to Instagram to defend his national team regarding its performance in the World Cup, but he did not mention his sending off in his message to the fans.

He said, 'Over time, you realize that there is something much bigger than just a result,' adding, 'Over the years, this group has represented the team in the best way possible. It has proven that competition is not only about winning, but about giving everything for the shirt and never giving up.'

Fernandez was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating France.

However, hopes for a second consecutive title evaporated after his dismissal, before Ferran Torres decided the final with a goal he scored in the 106th minute of a dull match that was affected by the defensive approach adopted by Argentina.

He said, 'It was an honor for me to be part of a group that always rose to the challenge, competed at the highest level, and defended these colors with pride, humility, and commitment.'

He added, 'I would like to thank all the Argentine fans. Thank you for always being by our side, for your support in every match, for your affection, for your unconditional support, and for making us feel at home wherever we were in the world.'

He concluded, 'Wearing my country's shirt is the greatest honor of my career, and I will continue to give my all every time I have the chance to defend it.'