LONDON: Argentina marked the revival of the Cup of Champions in style as Lionel Messi stole the show to help them outclass Italy 3-0 in a heavyweight clash billed as the ‘Finalissima’ at a raucous Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Inspired by the peerless Messi, the South American champions raced into a two-goal lead in the first half of the prestigious friendly thanks to strikes from Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria against an Italy side who were back at Wembley 11 months after beating England to win the delayed Euro 2020.

Paulo Dybala capped Argentina’s rout, but after a disappointing season with Paris St Germain by his sky-high standards, it was the sight of Messi back to his imperious best that took the spotlight.

The 34-year-old’s eye-catching display featured two assists and was worthy of his rare appearance at one of football’s great cathedrals.

Thrown into the air by his jubilant team-mates after the final whistle, Messi said: “Today was a nice test because Italy are a great team. We knew it was going to be a nice game and a nice setting in which to be champions. It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful.”

It was another memorable moment for Argentina, who have qualified for this year’s World Cup as they extend the golden afterglow from the victory over Brazil that ended their 28-year wait to win the Copa America in 2021.

Argentina were already established as one of the leading contenders to win the World Cup and defeating Italy was another statement of intent from La Albiceleste, who are now unbeaten in 32 matches.

If Messi can play at this level in Qatar, Lionel Scaloni’s side will be a force to be reckoned with as they chase a first World Cup title since 1986.

“Everything changed after the Copa America. Now we are enjoying ourselves and things are happening much more easily. We are excited but must keep our feet on the ground,” Di Maria said.

The Finalissima is the revival of the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champ­ions that has been played only twice before — in 1985 and 1993.

For Italy it was a sobering reminder of just how quickly fortunes can change.

Last July Roberto Mancini’s team were euphoric after a penalty shootout win over England but have since failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second successive tournament after losing in a playoff to North Macedonia.

In the build-up Mancini described the game as the “end of a cycle” and the defeat left him in no doubt as to how much work is required to revive Italy’s fortunes.

Mancini’s overhaul effectively started at half-time when Italy said farewell to 117-cap skipper Giorgio Chiellini, who was substituted in his final game before international retirement.

“They were better than us. We were in the game in the first half but didn’t do enough to turn it around after the break,” he said.

With thousands of their supporters in the 87,000 crowd determined to turn north west London into Buenos Aires for the night, captain Messi set up two goals as Argentina proved simply too quick and slick for the lumbering Azzurri.

Martinez tapped home from close range in the 28th minute from Messi’s low cross to reward Argentina’s early dominance.

Inter Milan’s Martinez then slid a pass through for Di Maria to outpace Chiellini and double the lead with a dinked finish on the stroke of halftime to send the south American fans behind the goal into raptures.

Italy had their moments before the break but Argentina could have scored a sackful of goals after it with Messi pulling the strings and Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma sparing his side a drubbing with a series of fine saves.

Substitute Dybala finally underlined Argentina’s superiority with a drilled low finish in stoppage time after another mesmerising run by Messi as the maestro provided one final flourish.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2022