Copa America champions Argentina thumped Euro 2020 winners Italy 3-0 in a match dubbed the “Finalissima” on Wednesday night. This game is a revival of the Cup of Champions; a match between the winners of the European and South American continental football competitions.
The match marked the return of the Italian national team to Wembley Stadium in London, where they defeated England on penalties to lift the Euro 2020 trophy. The stadium was packed with 87,000 fans, a significant number of whom made the trip from Buenos Aires to support the reigning South American champions.
Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria handed the Argentinians the advantage in the first half, while Paulo Dybala wrapped up the scoring with a 94th-minute goal at the death.
“It was a beautiful final, full of Argentinians. What we’ve experienced here was beautiful. We knew it was going to be an attractive game and a nice setting to be champion,” Lionel Messi stated following his team’s resounding victory.
What was a moment of pride for Argentina turned out to be an anticlimactic finale for veteran Azzurri defender Giorgio Chiellini, who was subbed off at halftime in what was his final match for the Italian national team.
