Copa América holders Argentina take on European champions Italy at Wembley, the same venue where the Azzurri clinched a second continental crown last summer.
🇮🇹 Champions of Europe 🆚 Champions of South America 🇦🇷
— 🇮🇹 Finalissima: 1.6.22 🇦🇷 (@EURO2024) June 1, 2022
⏰ 19:45 local time / 20:45 CET#Finalissima pic.twitter.com/mc5yGWqwfo
For the third time in history an official FIFA fixture pits the champions of South America against their European counterparts. Argentina tackle Italy on Wednesday evening in a captivating intercontinental super cup, and this special fixture will be contested at a neutral venue for the very first time.
The two previous encounters between the two champion nations of their respective confederations (UEFA and CONMEBOL) came back in 1985 when France beat Uruguay, 2-0 in Paris, and in 1993 when Argentina defeated Denmark on penalties in Buenos Aires Province.
Almost three decades after the last edition of this type of match-up, Argentina and Italy lock horns for the chance to be crowned champions in La Finalissima. This is a one-off fixture with no extra-time and if the contest ends all square after 90 minutes it will proceed directly to penalties.
The Finalissima trophy is breathtaking 😍 pic.twitter.com/jNF1zgoitz
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 30, 2022
Italy boast a positive record when it comes to penalty shootouts in major finals. Last year the Azzurri edged England from the spot, on the Three Lions’ own turf, to be crowned Euro 2020 champions. 15 years earlier Italy beat France on penalties in the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, however the Italians lost to Brazil on penalties in the 1994 World Cup final.
While Italy conquered Europe last July, Argentina did likewise in South America as they captured Copa América glory for the first time in 28 years. La Albiceleste saw off Brazil, 1-0, in the final and just like England, the Brazilians lost out on continental success on their own patch.
Despite not meeting in a competitive fixture for more than three decades, Argentina and Italy have shared a handful of titanic battles over the years. Most notably, these two nations met in five consecutive World Cups from 1974 – 1990. Since the turn of the century they have met thrice, each of them international friendlies, with Argentina coming out on top on all three occasions.
This evening will be the first time in 32 years these countries face off in a competitive bout. At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the hosts fell to Argentina – led by Diego Maradona – on penalties in the semifinals, albeit La Albiceleste went on to lose to West Germany in the final.
Argentina and Italy didn’t meet at either of the last two World Cup events and they certainly won’t be sharing a pitch at the 2022 spectacle. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the forthcoming tournament, falling short to North Macedonia in the UEFA WCQ playoff semifinals.
Argentina skipper Lionel Messi is desperate to add another international trophy to his embellished collection after earning a maiden major honour with his country just last year, aged 34. Messi and Argentina lost back-to-back Copa finals to Chile in 2015 and 2016, and they also came out second best to Brazil in 2007.
On the other hand, Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini is set to retire from international football, 18 years after first donning the blue strip of his national team. Should the veteran central defender feature in La Finalissima, he will equal Daniele De Rossi as the Azzurri’s fourth-most capped player with 117 caps. Chiellini, 37, also bids farewell to Juventus having notched 561 appearances for the Old Lady since 2004.
Just two places separate these nations in the latest FIFA world rankings with Argentina 4th and Italy in 6th, and it will be intriguing to see who will lift this lush trophy tonight.
