KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: A far-superior Argentina despatched Italy 3-0 in the weird Finalissima between the champion national teams of Europe and South America at Wembley. Lionel Scaloni’s men had so much fun they stayed out on the pitch half an hour after the presentations.

Argentina, inspired by old hands Leo Messi and Angel di Maria, looked exactly what they are, a team heading confidently toward the World Cup finals in November. Italy, by contrast, looked a ragged outfit who face a long, hard road back toward the European pinnacle they reached only a year ago,

The Azzurri looked as if playing out a made-for-TV exercise was the last thing they wanted at the end of a long season which promised so much and delivered only depression.

The clash was a revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup, which was last played in 1993, and has been organised as part of a renewed partnership between European federation UEFA and South American counterpart CONMEBOL.

Italy had booked their place in the match by virtue of winning the rescheduled Euro 2020 last year by defeating England on penalties in the final, also at Wembley; Argentina had qualified by ending their 28-year wait for a trophy by winning the 2021 Copa América, toppling Brazil 1–0.

Argentina pressed forward in the opening minutes but the first serious goal effort was delivered by Italy forward Giacomo Raspadori. Argentina’s defenders allowed him time and space and turn on the ball for a shot which Emi Martinez grabbed, dropping to his left.

Italy appeared happy to sit back and hit on the break. Emerson arrowed forward in attack and was tripped by Nicolas Otamendi but Raspadori’s shot after the free kick was deflected wide.

Argentina, having survived, duly took command and a lead which was never to be challenged.

Messi had a low shot well stopped by keeper Gianlugi Donnarumma then provided the assist from which Lautaro Martinez jabbed the ball home. Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini, playing his last match before retirement, complained in vain that Martinez had been offside.

Italy did their best, outside the laws of the game, to prevent Messi causing more damage. Leo Bonucci was booked for felling the Argentinian captain and then Mateo Pessina stopped him with a simple trip.

Italy pushed up in search of an equaliser but were hoist by their own counter-attacking petard as Angel di Maria outpaced Chiellini and Bonucci on the break to clipped a delicate shot wide of Donnarumma in first-half stoppage time.

Donnarumma came under repeated pressure in the second half as Argentina sought to extend their lead. First he just scrambled a mistimed back pass from Chiellini off the line then he put his fists up just in time to parry a fierce drive from Di Maria.

Italy were penned back for long periods as Messi shot into the side net then tested Donnarumma with a low drive. All in all the only remaining surprise was that they had to wait until the last minute before substitute Paulo Dybala escaped for a decisive third goal.

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