On Wednesday, Argentina proved why they’re participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar and last summer’s European champions Italy are not. There was no real competition between Italy and Argentina as the South American champions — coached by Lionel Scaloni and led on the pitch by a rousing performance by Lionel Messi — made easy work of the Italians in a 3-0 win at Wembley Stadium in London.
Argentina broke the deadlock in the early part of the match, with Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez scoring the opening goal of the night. The Messi-Lautaro duo was once again clinical, with the Inter striker dishing out an assist to current free agent and former PSG midfielder Angel Di Maria, who scored an outstanding goal and ended Italy’s dreams of winning the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions trophy. Italy were dominated in the second half yet again by an Argentina side that probably wished the World Cup in Qatar started in the summer. They scored the final goal of the night in the last minute of the match, with Paulo Dybala finding the back of the net and securing a comfortable 3-0 win in the Finalissima.
For Italy, the loss will likely mark the end of this current cycle, which started in 2018 under Roberto Mancini and brought the Azzurri the UEFA Euro title last summer. After an incredible summer run in the Euros, Italy failed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup. It’s the second straight World Cup in which the Italians have failed to qualify for and they will now go at minimum 12 years without playing a game in the World Cup. That’s a bitter pill to swallow for a nation that has won three World Cups, and most recently in 2006.
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Source : cbssports
