Argentina defend their CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup title by beating the European champions at Wembley.
Argentina defeated Italy 3-0 in their Finalissima clash on Wednesday. A brilliant first-half performance was enough for the Albiceleste to win the intercontinental trophy.
Messi claims another international trophy!
Both sides took a conservative approach to the game early on, trying to avoid any surprises. However, as the first half went on, Argentina managed to push their opponents inside their own half.
Following a fantastic run down the left flank, Lionel Messi provided a precise cutback for Lautaro Martinez, who nodded it home from close range.
Despite being ahead, Argentina increased their attacks throughout the second half. The Albiceleste finally doubled their lead just before the interval through Angel Di Maria.
An inch-perfect through ball from Martinez found the PSG star, who chipped the ball behind Gianluigi Donnarumma as soon as he received it.
Italy started attacking to get back into the game in the second half. But their efforts only resulted in more space for Messi and Martinez to storm their backline.
The South American champions increased their lead through Paulo Dybala’s precise shot from the edge of the box in the game’s final minute.
Argentina claim the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup for the second time in a row. Their previous triumph was in 1993 when Diego Armando Maradona led them to victory against Denmark.
Player Ratings
Italy: Donnarumma (7), Di Lorenzo (6), Bonucci (5), Chiellini (5), Emerson (6), Pessina (5), Jorginho (6), Barella (6), Bernardeschi (6), Belotti (5), Raspadori (7).
Bench: Lazzari (6), Scamacca (5), Locatelli (6), Spinazzola (6), Bastoni (6).
Argentina: Martinez (6), Molina (7), Romero (7), Otamendi (7), Tagliafico (8), De Paul (8), Rodriguez (7), Messi (9), Lo Celso (7), Di Maria (9), Lautaro Martinez (9).
Bench: Palacios (6), Alvarez (6), Pezzella (-), Gonzalez (-), Dybala (-).
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