Fernandez sparks social media fury after Argentina lose first post-Messi match

Enzo Fernandez drew sharp criticism on social media after Argentina fell to a 2-1 defeat against Uruguay at La Bombonera on Thursday, their first match since Lionel Messi announced his international retirement. The Chelsea midfielder’s post-match assessment that his side had dominated proceedings did little to reflect the scoreline.

Uruguay struck twice early in the second half through a Leonardo Balerdi own goal and a Maxi Araujo effort. Julián Álvarez pulled one back for the hosts, but the consolation came too late to salvage a result.

“We controlled the game from start to finish, beyond the goals they scored by chance,” Fernandez said after the final whistle. The remarks quickly spread across social media, where supporters were unimpressed. “A very mediocre statement from a mediocre professional,” wrote one user. Another offered a sardonic reply: “In the next match, we’ll let them equalise, just by chance.”

A third questioned the midfielder’s reading of the game directly: “Goals are what count, kid. What match did you watch where you guys dominated the whole time?”

Argentine media were broadly critical of the team’s performance, though TyC Sports offered Fernandez a relatively generous rating of 6/10. Their assessment noted a player operating in two distinct modes across the 90 minutes — composed and measured in the first half, then more assertive after Exequiel Palacios was substituted, taking on a directing role with purposeful passes, including the one that led to Argentina’s goal.

National team coach Lionel Scaloni called for patience, pointing to the youth of his squad and their potential to develop through this transitional period. Outlet Ole echoed that measured tone while still identifying areas for improvement, noting that Argentina conceded from a free kick on the edge of their own area that could have been avoided, and that the team showed too much respect to a Uruguay side that punished them for it.

The defeat adds to a difficult stretch for Fernandez, who has also endured a turbulent run of form with his club side. The international break, which offered some of his Manchester City teammates a temporary reprieve from domestic pressures, only extended his losing run.