Chelsea had to remove a post on X showcasing Enzo Fernandez celebrating his equalizer for Argentina during the closing moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal against England on Wednesday night. Shortly afterward, Argentina, the reigning champions, secured another goal to defeat the Three Lions, paving the way for a final clash against Spain on July 20 at 12:30 AM India time.
Event Context
Earlier this year, Enzo revealed his wish to relocate to Madrid, causing unrest among fans at the English club. ‘Madrid is a beautiful city, reminds me of Buenos Aires,’ he stated. This uncertainty about his future at Chelsea dated back even further. After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League, he expressed, ‘I don’t know about my future. There are eight games left and the FA Cup, plus the World Cup, and then we’ll see.’ One fan voiced their displeasure online, commenting, ‘Read the room, disgusting. Especially when that player would spit at us at any opportunity.’
Despite not having secured a major football trophy since their 1966 World Cup victory, England approached the match filled with confidence. Many analysts predicted they would outplay Lionel Messi’s Argentina, and for a brief moment, they seemed likely to do so after Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute. However, as the English squad adopted a defensive strategy, they initially held onto the lead. Just when it seemed they might secure the win, Enzo netted an equalizer in the 85th minute. Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez delivered a stunning blow, scoring to give Argentina the lead. Following the match, England’s coach Thomas Tuchel faced criticism for his tactical choices, especially regarding his substitutions.
Team Analysis
Fans expressed their anger when an English football club prioritized club football over the national team. The backlash came not only from rival fans but also from its own supporters, forcing the club to retract the post. According to the Sun, one Chelsea fan commented, ‘Seriously. We’re an English football club. Poor from my club. Poor.’ Another fan added, ‘The absolute cheek of an English football club to tweet this. Grim.’
