Messi

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring for Argentina midway through the first half, with Messi showing impressive strength to hold off Giovanni ...

“I think they played better than us. The Italian manager said: “To play in Wembley is fantastic. It was organised by South American federation CONMEBOL, and was the first contest between continental champions for 29 years.

Lionel Messi was named as the man of the match as South American champions Argentina beat Euro 2020 winners Italy in Wednesday's Finalissima at Wembley.

Argentina are now two-time winners of the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions trophy. Lionel Messi was named as the man of the match as South American champions Argentina beat Euro 2020 winners Italy in Wednesday's Finalissima at Wembley. That Copa America triumph saw Argentina qualify for Finalissima - the new name for the returning CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions.

Lautaro Martinez, Angel di Maria and Paulo Dybala were on target as Argentina beat Italy 3-0 to win Finalissima.

"They were better than us. "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."

Copa America champions Argentina comfortably defeated European Championship winners Italy to take the Finalissima at Wembley.

90’+3 - GOAL! ITALY 0-3 ARGENTINA (PAULO DYBALA): Argentina deserved a third for their second-half performance and now they've got it! 90’+3 - GOAL! ITALY 0-3 ARGENTINA (PAULO DYBALA): Argentina deserved a third for their second-half performance and now they've got it! 28’ - GOAL! ITALY 0-1 ARGENTINA (LAUTARO MARTINEZ): Magic from Messi! The No.10 spins Di Lorenzo as he drives to the by-line and picks out Martinez who slots hom his 20th international goal to give Argentina the lead. Chiellini, on his farewell appearance, can't keep up with Di Maria as he latches onto Martinez's through ball and he keeps his cool to lift it over the onrushing goalkeeper Donnarumma. Under the tutelage of a superb manager, La Albiceleste are resolute and resilient in defence, excellent in and out of possession and generally impressive in every department. Chiellini described the Finalissima as the ‘perfect way’ to end his final appearance, but in truth it ended horribly for the 37-year-old as his lack of pace and fitness were brought into sharp focus, with his misery ending after just 45 minutes.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring at Wembley Stadium in the Champions League group stage. Nathan Egerton; 2nd June 2022. While we may never know ...

“He controlled the game from start to finish,” the UEFA Technical Observer Panel wrote in their report. He was then named Man of the Match, making it three from three at Wembley. “If we leave him space in a one-to-one, he will get away from his marker. Ideally, we would like to anticipate the pass because if he gets the ball he will get off his marker.” “This guy – what he does on a football pitch is just ridiculous. We came into it and we could have been in front. “He has really put in a masterclass of a performance for the Wembley crowd; it was a joy to watch.” I was going to do it at half-time, then I said: ‘Well, we just equalised before half-time, they may see the game differently, we may grow into the game better.’ “That was a mistake… “We were actually quite good in the last 10 minutes of that half. “We never got to grips with Messi at all,” Ferdinand said in his autobiography. Should I stay or should I go?

Messi echoes Maradona in masterclass as Argentina sends epic World Cup statement.

Di Maria exacted revenge on Messi’s behalf in first half stoppage-time. That is the fourth-longest streak all time and just five games short of Italy’s record run from 2018-21. Fittingly, Messi — the heir to the legendary Maradona — used the occasion to remind the world of his astonishing talents. After the World Cup failure, Mancini is transitioning to a younger generation, with the forthcoming Nations League matches against Germany, England and Hungary his real focus. Argentina were already established as one of the leading contenders to win the World Cup and defeating Italy was another statement of intent from La Albiceleste, who are now unbeaten in 32 matches. Paulo Dybala capped Argentina’s rout, but after a disappointing season with Paris Saint-Germain by his sky-high standards, it was the sight of Messi back to his imperious best that took the spotlight.

Lionel Messi provided two assists as Argentina dominated Italy in the Finalissima — a meeting of the South American and European champions at the Wembley ...

“What we experienced here was beautiful,” Messi said. It was a painful return for the Italians to Wembley Stadium where they won Euro 2020 last year and as they face up to a second successive failure to qualify for the World Cup. Argentina collected the first Finalissima trophy on Wednesday by beating Italy 3-0 in a meeting of the South American and European champions, with Messi having helped Argentina win the Copa America last July for his first major title with the national team.