2022 Finalissima: Lionel Messi Stars as Argentina Beat Italy 3-0
The Argentina men’s national team defeated Italy 3-0 at Wembley Stadium in London on June 2 to clinch the La Finalissima title
Lionel Messi of Argentina with Trophyduring Finalissima Conmebol - UEFA Cup of Champions between Italy and ArgentinaWith the victory, Lionel Messi lifted his second international trophy in the last 11 months with Argentina. Argentina started the game with strength, owing to the performance of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who was awarded the player of the tournament at Copa America last year.
Lionel Messi recorded his 161st appearance for the Argentine national team. The two assists by the 34-year-old Argentine striker improved his record to 46 goal contributions in 45 finals he has played. The 37-year-old Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini ended his last appearance for Italy on his 117th cap, whining off with a loss to Argentina.
Lionel Messi said, “What we experienced here was beautiful in a post-match interview. We knew it would be an excellent game and a nice setting to be champions.
Lautaro Martínez in the 28th minute, Ángel Di María in the 45th minute and Paulo Dybala in the fourth minute of the extended time were the goal scorers for Argentina. In contrast, none of the players from Italy was able to score.
Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring for Argentina in the 28th minute with a simple tap in after receiving a near-perfect pass from Lionel Messi after making a brilliant solo run past Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the left flank. Martínez created another opportunity for Argentina in the ending moments of the first half as he sent a through ball to Ángel Di María. The Argentine midfielder chipped it past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Argentina a 2-0 lead going into the halftime.
Lionel Messi created another opportunity in the ending moments of the match with a brilliant run from the halfway line to the edge of the penalty box of the Italian side. He passed the ball to Paulo Dybala, who calmly slotted the ball into the net with a low-level strike.
It was the second time Lionel Messi had lifted a trophy at Wembley. He had previously won the 2011 Champions League Trophy with Barcelona in the final against Manchester United at the same stadium when they won 3-1.
The Argentine squad will head into the Qatar World Cup on the back of another trophy. On the other hand, Italy, which won the Euro Cup last year, will miss playing the World Cup for the second time in a row.