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Messi’s Argentina outclass Italy to win ‘Finalissima

Copa America champions Argentina comfortably defeated European Championship winners Italy 3-0 to take the Finalissima at Wembley.
Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala were on target as Lionel Scaloni’s side secured the ‘Cup of Champions’ – it is the second time La Albiceleste have won the trophy after defeating Denmark way back in 1993, the last time the competition was held.
Italy – returning to the scene where they were crowned champions of Europe last year thanks to their defensive resilience and excellent organisation – were undone by Lionel Messi’s genius as he created the opening goal, taking out Giovanni Di Lorenzo before laying it on a plate for Martinez.
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Di Maria doubled Argentina’s advantage on the stroke of half-time, outpacing Giorgio Chiellini – who was hooked at half-time on his final appearance for his country – to latch onto Martinez’s through ball and lift it over the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Roberto Mancini made a triple change at the break in a desperate bid to spark improvement – but to little effect. If anything, Argentina were even more dominant in the second half, completely overrunning Italy in midfield as they chalked up a number of further opportunities.
Messi's Argentina outclass Italy to win 'Finalissima
Donnarumma tried to keep the score respectable, making a number of saves to keep the brilliant Messi off the scoresheet, while Alessandro Bastoni cleared Lo Celso’s effort off the line, but late substitute Paulo Dybala would put the icing on the cake with a third in stoppage-time.

“It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful,” Messi said.

“Today was a nice test because Italy are a great team. We knew it was going to be a nice game and a nice setting in which to be champions.”

It was a disappointing end to Italy stalwart Chiellini’s international career as the 37-year-old was substituted at halftime on his 117th and final appearance.

The Finalissima is the revival of the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions that has been played only twice before — in 1985 and 1993 — and while it is viewed as something of a novelty, Argentina celebrated as though it was a World Cup final.

Messi, who lit up the evening with a series of trademark dribbles, was hoisted into the air by his team mates who danced jigs of joy on the lush Wembley turf.

Argentina, who ended a 28-year wait for a trophy by beating Brazil to win the 2021 Copa America, produced a display that augurs well for their hopes at the Qatar World Cup this year, extending their unbeaten run to 32 games.

But for Italy it was a sobering reminder of just how quickly fortunes can change.

Last July Roberto Mancini’s team were euphoric after a penalty shootout win over England but have since failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second successive tournament after losing in a playoff to North Macedonia.

In the build-up Mancini described the game as the “end of a cycle” and the defeat left him in no doubt as to how much work is required to revive Italy’s fortunes.

“They were better than us. We were in the game in the first half but didn’t do enough to turn it around after the break,” he said.

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