Breaking News

Argentina beat Italy to win Finalissima

Argentina won the Finalissima with a convincing 3-0 win over Italy at a packed Wembley.

First-half goals from Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria put Lionel Scaloni’s side in charge and a stoppage-time strike from substitute Paulo Dybala only reflected Argentina’s superiority.

The game between the winners of last year’s Copa America and European Championship was surprisingly one-sided as Lionel Messi captained his team to a deserved victory with a performance that rolled back the years in front of an adoring crowd.

Finalissima, in its previous incarnation as the Artemio Franchi Cup, was last held in 1993.

READ ALSO: Italy legend Chiellini retires from international football Wednesday

Argentina beat Denmark in the competition following a penalty shootout. Diego Maradona lifted the trophy.

According to SkySports, the  only other occasion that it has been staged was the inaugural event in 1985 – when France beat Uruguay – but the fixture was well attended by supporters of both sides as 87,112 filled the stadium.

The Argentinian fans among them certainly enjoyed the celebrations.

For Italy, it was an unhappy return to the scene of their Euro 2020 triumph over England last summer. That was heralded as a renaissance for Italian football under Roberto Mancini but they have since failed to qualify for the World Cup and were well beaten at Wembley.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Uba Sani: Remi Tinubu, compassionate First Lady

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has described First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as the “mother of…

4 mins ago

EFCC summons suspended Edo LG chairmen

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the suspended chairmen of the 18…

3 hours ago

N110bn fraud: Court grants Yahaya Bello N500m bail

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday, December 19, 2024, granted  former Kogi…

4 hours ago

Dangote refinery reduces petrol price to N899/litre

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known…

6 hours ago

Drama as govt officials storm tribunal to recover vehicle conveying lawyers

There was a mild drama in Benin, the Edo State capital, as members of the…

8 hours ago

PDP expels Vice Chairman Ali Odefa over anti-party activities

The Peoples Democratic Party in Oguduokwor Ward in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State…

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.