Argentina routs Italy in Finalissima

It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here (at Wembley Stadium) was beautiful

Lionel Messi, Argentina captain

Argentina marked the revival of the Cup of Champions in style as an inspired Lionel Messi helped it outclass Italy 3-0 in a heavyweight clash billed as the ‘Finalissima’ at a raucous Wembley Stadium here on Wednesday.

First-half goals by Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria put the South American champion in complete control against Italy, which was back at Wembley 11 months after beating England to win the delayed Euro 2020. Captain Messi set up two goals as Argentina proved simply too quick and slick for the lumbering ‘Azzurri’.

Martinez tapped home from close range in the 28th minute from Messi’s low cross to reward Argentina’s early dominance. Martinez then slid a pass through for Di Maria, who outpaced veteran Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini and doubled the lead with a dinked finish on the stroke of half-time.

Italy had its moments before the break, but Argentina could have scored lots of goals after the interval.

Messi pulled the strings while Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma spared his team a drubbing with a series of fine saves. Substitute Paulo Dybala made it 3-0 with a low finish in stoppage time after another mesmerising run by Messi.

“It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful,” Messi said. “Today (the match on Wednesday) was a nice test because Italy is a great team. We knew it was going to be a nice game and a nice setting to be champion.”

It was a disappointing end to Italy stalwart Chiellini’s international career as the 37-year-old was substituted at half-time on his 117th and final appearance. Meanwhile, Messi, who lit up the evening with a series of trademark dribbles, was hoisted into the air by his teammates, who danced joyfully on the lush Wembley turf.

Argentina, which ended a 28-year wait for a trophy by beating Brazil to win the 2021 Copa America, produced a display that augurs well for its hopes at the Qatar World Cup, extending its unbeaten run to 32 matches. The ‘Finalissima’ is the revival of the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions that has been played only twice before – in 1985 and 1993.

Final: Italy 0 lost to Argentina 3 (L Martinez 28, Di Maria 45, P Dybala 90)