Italy vs Argentina 0-3: Unplayable Messi Settles Finalissima

Argentina, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A

At the historic Wembley Stadium in London, Italy and Argentina clashed heads in the traditional Finalissima meeting which takes part between the European champions and the Copa America winners. Unfortunately for Calcio fanatics, this turned out to be a one way traffic, with Lionel Messi putting on a real show.

Starting Lineups

Roberto Mancini’s men were led by Giorgio Chiellini in his Azzurri swansong. The Juventus legend was fittingly accompanied by his longtime teammate Leonardo Bonucci, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Emerson Palmieri completed the back-four in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The rest of the Italian 4-3-3 formation included Jorginho in the famous Regista role, supported by Matteo Pessina and Nicolò Barella. Andrea Belotti spearheaded the attack, flanked by Federico Bernardeschi and Giacomo Raspadori.

On the other corner, Lionel Scaloni unleashed a 4-2-3-1 formation led by a terrifying attack, with Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Giovanni Lo Celso starting behind Lautaro Martinez, while Rodrigo De Paul and Guido Rodriguez played in the double pivot.

The first real chance of the match came at the 20th minute when Bonucci picked up Bernardeschi with a pinpoint longball. The winger almost managed to find Belotti at the mouth of the goal but Cristian Romero made a timely clearance.

Lautaro Scores Argentina Opener

Nevertheless, it was Argentina who broke the deadlock pouncing on a mistake from Italy players. The South Americans picked up the loose ball, and Messi turned around Di Lorenzo before picking up Lautaro right in front of goal, and the Inter striker who scored from close range with the outside of the foot.

Di Maria Doubles the Lead

Following the opener, Italy’s reaction was non-existent. Instead, it was the Albicelestes who doubled their lead just before halftime. Martinez skipped past Bonucci in the middle of park before sending a sublime through ball towards Di Maria. The winger won the sprint against Chiellini before beating Donnarumma with a crafty chip.

The second half started with the introduction of Manuel Lazzari, Manuel Locatelli and Gianluca Scamacca who took the spots of the Bernardeschi, Belotti and the departing Chiellini.

Despite a marginal improvement, Italy remained particularly shaky at the back, as Bonucci and Donnarumma almost combined to score a comical own-goal, but the latter managed to clear the ball off the line to spare himself the blushes.

Albiceleste Onslaught

Few minutes later. Di Maria cut to the center before launching a brilliant curler towards the far corner, but Gigio’s stunning save was equal to it. The Juventus-bound winger then tested his former PSG teammate with another fabulous volley, but the goalkeeper punched it away.

The South American onslaught continued, as Emerson gave away the ball in a dangerous area. Messi sent the ball towards Lo Celso at the back post, but the latter only hit the side netting.

Afterwards, the GOAT decided to take the initiative and go to goal himself. Nonetheless, Donnarumma successfully denied him on three straight occasions.

Dybala Piles More Misery on Italy

Despite coming on in the final minutes, Paulo Dybala only needed one touch to add his name to the scoresheet and make it 3-0. Messi led a run towards the box, and the free-agent pounced on loose ball to direct a low drive towards Donnarumma’s bottom corner.

Argentina Win Finalissima

At the end of the day, Argentina deservedly won the Finalissima thanks to two first half goals from Lautaro and Di Maria plus a third from Dybala at the very last minute, while the hapless Italy had absolutely no answer for the superior South American champions.

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