Argentina‘s central mid-fielder Enzo Fernandez scored an own goal against Australia in the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
The long shot from the winger Craig Goodwin was deflected by Fernandez before it went past Emiliano Martinez, the goalie for Argentina, and into the goal. Argentina defeated Australia, 2-1, to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Who is Enzo Fernandez?
Enzo Jeremias Fernandez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for both Benfica of the Primeira Liga and the Argentina national team.
Fernandez, born on January 17, 2001, made his first-team debut for the River Plate team in 2019 and then played on loan for Defensa y Justicia for two seasons. He joined Benfica of the Portuguese Primeira Liga in July 2022.
Before making his senior international debut for Argentina in 2022, Fernández represented the nation at the under-18 level.
Club Career:
The player would stay at River Plate through the end of the team’s Copa Libertadores run in exchange for a €10 million transfer fee for 75% of his economic rights plus €8 million in add-ons, according to an agreement between River Plate and Primeira Liga team Benfica reached on June 23, 2022.
He received the jersey with the number 13. On August 2, he made his club debut, scoring his first goal for the team in a 4-1 home victory over Midtjylland in the first leg of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. His outstanding play persisted throughout the month, and after a run of five straight victories and three clean sheets, he was named the Primeira Liga’s Midfielder of the Month.
Also Read: Argentina qualifies for 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after win over Australia
International Career:
His jersey number is 24 for his national side. On September 24, 2022, in a 3-0 victory over Honduras, he made his senior team debut by replacing Leandro Paredes in the 64th minute.
He was added to Argentina’s 26-man roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on November 11. On November 26, after replacing Guido Rodriguez in the 57th minute, Fernández netted his first goal for Argentina against Mexico to seal a 2-0 group-stage victory. He did so at the age of 21 years, ten months, and thirteen days, making him the second-youngest player ever behind only Lionel Messi to score a World Cup goal for Argentina.
