Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 3-0 win over Italy in the Finalissima, a commemorative match between the South American and European champions.
The game was played at Wembley, and also marked Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini’s final international after 118 caps.
It was organised by South American federation CONMEBOL, and was the first contest between continental champions for 29 years. The sides played for the Artemio Franchi Cup, which was also competed for in 1985 and 1993.
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Over 87,000 attended, with a sizable Argentine presence in particular, and those who travelled from South America would leave delighted.
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring for Argentina midway through the first half, with Messi showing impressive strength to hold off Giovanni Di Lorenzo to fire an assist across goal.
Martinez, Messi, and Angel di Maria were a dangerous trident throughout, and the latter scored Argentina’s second just before half-time, racing past the retiring Chiellini to chip Martinez’s through ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Substitute Paulo Dybala put the gloss on the scoreline late on after more sterling work from Messi, firing home off the post.
Italy were disappointing throughout, and looked far from the side that won the European Championship at the stadium last summer.
Roberto Mancini’s side has not qualified for this winter’s World Cup, losing to North Macedonia in a play-off semi-final in March, and missing out on a second consecutive edition of the tournament.
The Italian manager said: “To play in Wembley is fantastic. Every time we play here it is an incredible moment for football and for us.
“The atmosphere tonight was absolutely fantastic, in the end for us maybe not so good but this is football.
“I think they played better than us. They have a fantastic striker, midfielders, they played very, very well.”
Messi added: “We knew it was going to be a nice match and a nice setting to be champion.
“It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful.”
(Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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