Messi’s Wembley Moments and the Finalissima Triumph
Messi has always found Wembley to be a stage that brings back warm memories. There, he delivered one of his most memorable moments in a new chapter of London’s cathedral-like arena, guiding Guardiola’s Barcelona to a fourth Champions League victory in 2011. More than ten years later, the Argentine icon returned to Wembley with a renewed sense of purpose, eyeing another chapter in Argentina’s quest for glory through Finalissima, a newly established clash between Europe and South America. The Albiceleste, champions of the Copa América, faced Italy, guided by Mancini, who had celebrated a European title but would soon miss out on Qatar 2022 months later.
Messi didn’t need to score among Argentina’s three goals in that match; Lautaro Martínez, Angel Di Maria, and Paulo Dybala did the scoring, as the Argentine side pressed with relentless energy that left no reply for their opponents.
Messi’s joyous celebration at Wembley was captured with the message Messi love with all its strength in a post-match image from the night, underscoring the sense of triumph shared by fans and teammates alike.
— Finalissima (@EURO2024) June 1, 2022 —
There wasn’t a lavish party afterward, but there was definitely a show. Messi, once again the central figure on the Wembley stage, faced an Italian squad that struggled to answer his and his teammates’ intensity. Donnarumma, the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, stood out as the hero of the night for England, while Italy could have breathed a sigh of relief at the scoreline of 0-2.
Lautaro on the scoresheet, Lautaro with the assists
Messi intercepted a ball with commanding defensive pressure and read the play with quiet assurance, prompting Lautaro Martínez to convert one of the simplest finishes of his career with a precise assist from Messi in the 28th minute.
Like Martínez’s goal, a moment of shared brilliance captured the night’s spirit. A second goal came from Di Maria after a clever passage that broke Italy’s resistance.
As Italy sought to mount a response, Lautaro emerged as a creator after a clever move that carved open Bonucci’s defense, delivering a left-footed touch that set the stage for a teammate’s finish. It was a demonstration of artistry that left the Italian defense exposed and the crowd energized.
Messi, while clinically efficient and endlessly creative, appeared buoyant and playful, embodying a form that contrasted with a challenging year away from his beloved Camp Nou. The Argentine captain displayed leadership and flair that kept Italian nerves on edge throughout the match.
And once the job was done, the match seemed complete with a relentless push from Argentina. Donnarumma faced a barrage of shots, including a late attempt from outside the area, but the Italian defense, often described as fragile, held up long enough to keep the scoreboard at 0-3, a result that didn’t fully reflect the gap between the teams. The night belonged to a confident, cohesive Argentine show against a comparatively reserved Italy.
Italy-Argentina record (0-3)
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Jorginho, Pessina, Barella, Bernardeschi, Belotti, Raspadori. Changes: Lazzari for Chiellini (46); Scamacca, Belotti (46); Locatelli, Bernardeschi (46); Spinazzola, Pessina (62); Bastoni, Emerson (77).
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Guido Rodríguez, Rodrigo De Paul, Le Celso, Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Di Maria. Alterations: Ezequiel Palacios (76) for Rodrigo De Paul; Pezzella, Cristian Romero (85); Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez (85); Dybala for Di Maria (90); Nico González (90) for Le Celso.
Goals: 0-1 Lautaro Martínez (28); 0-2 Di María (46); 0-3 Dybala (90+3).
(CITATION: Match report and highlights from Finalissima 2022, as reported by fans and event organizers.)