Argentina Defeat Dismal Italy To Win The 2022 Finalissima Title At Wembley Stadium.

Argentina cruised to victory over an underperforming Italy to win the the La Finalissima title (the contest between the champions of Europe and South America) in a one-off fixture at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Finalissima contest is the first between the two continental champions in 29 years, it's a revamped version of the Artemio Franchi Cup competed for twice before (1985 and 1993) respectively.

in 1985, France beat Uruguay 2-1, and in 1993, when Argentina beat Denmark 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Since a very long negotiations after UEFA and CONMEBOL from 2015, revival of the ‘Artemio Franchi Cup’ has now roared back to life and named ‘Finalissima’.

UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding on 15 December 2021.

It was Argentina's second international trophy within the space of 12 months after ending their 18-year drought with silverware.

They won the country's their first trophy (2021 Copa America) since 1993. That title ensured their participation in the 2022 Finalissima against Italy, the Euro 2020 champions.

South American referee Piero Maza wgoise appointment was made  was in charge of the Finalissima match between Argentina and Italy.

The referee appointment will be made jointly by the two confederations.

Lionel Messi came close to unlocking the Italian defence on more than one occasion and eventually his run and cross set up the opener for Lautaro Martinez on the night in the 28th minute, who then turned provider for Di Maria who calmly and audaciously chipped Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Argentina a 2-0 lead just before half-time.

The second half began in a more cagey manner, as both teams were eager  not to give away an early goal, but substitute Paulo Dybala scored a third after the 90th minute after Messi again broke forward and was unlucky to lose the ball which Dybala picked up and placed into the corner to round off a handsome victory in front of 87,112 fans.

Argentina continued their remarkable unbeaten run of 32 matches since June 2019 and are, five matches away from equalling Italy's all-time international unbeaten record of 37 games between 2018 to 2021.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar was in sparkling form as he inspired his nation to a comfortably victory over European champions Italy at Wembley. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was a little maestro in the middle of the field as he constantly threatened the Italian defenders which saw him receive the Man of the Match awarding the night.

"We knew it was going to be a nice match and a nice setting to be champion," he said.

"It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful."

The La Albiceleste has also secured qualification for the World Cup in Qatar later this year, where they would appear to have an excellent chance of ending their wait for a third global crown. It is 36 years since Argentina won the World Cup.

Meanwhile, For Italy, Wednesday's game could have been a celebration, after a slump in form since their remarkable Euro 2020 title win for a second time in history at this venue (Wembley) nine months ago, causing them to miss out on a place at this year’s World Cup for the second time in a row.

Their shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia made it abundantly clear, that the Azzurri's under Roberto Mancini is a side in clear need of renewal.

They needed to bounce back and redeem their pride against Argentina in the Finalissima, and have a chance to say goodbye to one of the modern game's great and experienced defender Giorgio Chiellini who played the combative first half of what was his 118th cap and final international match for the country following his retirement.

Italy boss Mancini spoke in equally glowing terms of the setting - but less enamoured with the result.

"To play in Wembley is fantastic," he said. "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."