Enzo Fernandez jumped high to head the ball. The ball flew in a perfect trajectory and then nestled in Egypt's net. An Argentine-style combination brought the decisive goal of the match, helping the defending champion complete the comeback from a 0-2 lead after 78 minutes to win 3-2 overall.
Whether Argentina successfully defends the World Cup title or not, this may still be Fernandez's most memorable moment at this year's tournament.
It is worth mentioning that while shining on the World Cup stage, the future of this midfielder at club level has become a topic of attention. Real Madrid recently had to issue an official statement affirming that there has never been any direct or indirect move to recruit Fernandez, and at the same time denied any information related to the deal.
This announcement is seen as a cold shower for Fernandez, who is said to want to leave Chelsea.
Real Madrid's public denial of interest may reflect many factors, from caution in transfer policy to the assessment that Fernandez is not really suitable for the already very quality midfield of the Royal team.
Fernandez is not the only case in the Argentina dressing room who wants to find a new destination. Emiliano Martinez has been linked with Manchester United, Cristian Romero is rumored to want to move to Atletico Madrid, and Julian Alvarez has also appeared many times in rumors related to Barcelona.
Fernandez's career changed rapidly after the 2022 World Cup. At that time, he started the tournament on the bench but ended with the title of Best Young Player and the world championship.
Just a few months after joining Benfica, Fernandez moved to Chelsea for a fee of up to 106 million pounds. This deal also took place in the context that the Argentine midfielder himself put pressure to leave, causing President Rui Costa to once declare that Benfica would not regret a player who no longer wants to contribute to the club.
In March this year, Fernandez continued to attract attention when he publicly expressed his desire to live in Madrid. However, the Bernabeu arrival is Marc Cucurella, while Fernandez is still bound by a contract lasting until 2031 with Chelsea.
Fernandez's form at Stamford Bridge is quite erratic. He scored 15 goals last season and had many positive performances under coach Enzo Maresca, but that is still not enough to convince Real Madrid that he is a necessary piece of the midfield.
Fernandez's success in the Argentine national team jersey also seems to be superior to the club level. Lionel Scaloni has built a midfield trio including Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Fernandez, players who are both capable of holding the ball, rich in fighting spirit and supporting defense well.
That formula once helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, but this year's tournament has revealed limitations. The defending champion let both Cabo Verde and Egypt score 2 goals, showing that the defense system is no longer as solid as before. Fernandez's decisive goal is therefore also a rescue for the mistakes that Argentina itself created.
Fernandez always knows how to prove his worth at decisive moments. In Chelsea's colors, he scored the equalizer in injury time against Manchester City, scored late to help his team defeat West Ham, and also scored on the fields of Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
The ability to shine in big matches may help Fernandez open up a transfer opportunity in the future. However, the too high fee and long-term contract make leaving Chelsea not simple at all.
