Eleven Italians, and in the middle a star. Lionel Messi, since he is the one in question, flew over this intercontinental final which opposed this Wednesday at Wembley Italy, European champion, to Argentina, holder of the last Copa America. The Albiceleste and PSG midfielder didn’t score but provided two assists for Lautaro Martinez and Paula Dybala. Great art.
Everything was gathered in London so that the 90,000 spectators and the millions of television viewers were amazed. Of the spectacle, there was only one side, so much Argentina dominated its subject. And this is not surprising, as Italy has been disappointing since its success in the same place, on July 11, against England. On the Parisian side, the debates were nevertheless balanced with King Leo on one side, and Gianluigi Donnarumma on the other, Marco Verratti being injured.
After a first half hour without much relief, the Argentinians shifted into high gear before the break. This is the moment chosen by Messi to drop the opposing defense and offer real caviar to Lautaro Martinez. The Inter striker does not need to be asked to beat Donnarumma up close. The Italians try to revolt, like Leonardo Bonucci who sends his elbow into the jaw of the sevenfold Golden Ball (39th). Just before returning to the locker room, Angel Di Maria, well launched by Martinez behind Chiellini’s back, cleverly lobbed his now ex-clubmate with a little flick of which he had the secret.
At the break, the cause is already almost heard. Argentina did not release the pressure and the Parisian goalkeeper saved the day on an ill-adjusted back pass from Bonucci (56th), before intervening against Di Maria (60th) then Messi (69th). Lo Celso has the opportunity to offer his people an undeniable success but the former Parisian misses his attempt (64th). It is finally Paulo Dybala, who benefits from a new breakthrough from Messi.
Italy have been waiting for a victory over Argentina for forty years now. More precisely the Mondial 82 in Spain. We then play the 2nd round and the Squadra Azzura wins thanks to the goals of Marco Tardelli and Antonio Cabrini in the second half, before the reduction of the Argentinian score at the very end of the match by Daniel Passarella. Italy then climbed to the final where it beat (3-1) Germany, victorious over the French team in the semi-finals. Since then, the two countries have only met six times, including two in the World Cup (1986 and 1990).