The Finalissima 2022

Jun 2, 2022. No. 261

Lionel Messi led the Argentina team to win Argentina's second international title. The first was the Copa América playing against Brazil and this is the Finalissima against Italy. The Finalissima is the match to define the best between America and Europe. Italy was the champion of the last European Championship: Eurocopa.

A few months ago Italy could not qualify for the next World Cup in Qatar 2022. They got complicated in qualifying and had to go to playoffs. In a game they lost the opportunity, just a few minutes were enough to leave them out of the next World Cup for the second time in a row. But no one doubts the ability of the Italian team, in addition to taking almost all its main figures to this final.

From the start of the game, Argentina took control of the match, with much more intensity and pressing at all times to get the ball. Always active and very cohesive in each of their passes. This meant that scoring opportunities came much more frequently until an individual play by Messi in the area, protecting the ball despite the pressure and taking it to the end of the line, put in a center that ended in a goal by Lautaro. Thus the marker was opened.

The second goal came from a pass from Lo Celso to Di Maria that he defined as a crack. He spiked the ball over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. By the end of the match, just at minute 90+4, Messi led the ball right up to the edge of the area, making fun of several defenders, but one of them slightly touched the ball and caused a deflection, where Dybala appeared. He had entered the game a few minutes ago and kicked the ball to the base of the post, away from the goalkeeper, scoring what would be the final 3-0.

Since I was a child I'm a big fan of Argentina. Unfortunately, I never saw them win a World Cup. I had not yet been born when they won their 2 World Cups almost in a row. But I fell in love with his story and the way of playing the best player in the world. When at that time he was just beginning his career and dazzling everyone with his football. Messi had won everything with FC Barcelona, ​​but his history with the national team led them to be in a World Cup final in 2014. In a match against Germany, 90 minutes was the only thing Messi lacked to be world champion. But a goal from Mario Götze deprived them of winning the world cup. Total disappointment and depression. Later came several Copa Americas and even playing the final, Argentina lost all of them. Messi missed a penalty in one of those finals against Chile in the penalty shootout and this was a bucket of cold water for everyone.

Then in 2018 at the World Cup, Argentina was a total disaster. He lost in the round of 16 against France, who made their defense waters, especially due to a Mbappe who appeared at a very high level. The Argentina team was a circus, literally.

From that moment, with a new change of coach, led by Scalonni, Argentina began to form a new team and flourish.

It was then that in 2021 in the Copa America, Argentina finally became champion, after a drought of many years without a title with the senior team. Messi was the best player in that tournament. He finally lifted a title with the senior team after so many disappointments. The joy was immense.

And this match against Italy came to reinforce that it was not a coincidence that Argentina won before. The team is much more trained and with a very high level. Finally, you can count on a consolidated team for the next World Cup. Messi was also the man of the match and this is his 40th title between the club and national team.

This is the second time that Argentina has won La Finalissima. The first occasion was in 1993 with the physically disappeared Maradona on the field.

Argentina had a streak of 31 games without defeat between 1991 – 1993. Now it has just extended to 32 games without losing. Since 2019, Argentina has not lost a game.

2 trophies in 11 months. Argentina is definitely a team to keep in mind for the next World Cup.

Lionel Messi with Argentina:

- Most Goals (81)

- Most assists (50)

- Most appearances (161)

- Copa América winner

- Olympic Gold winner

- Finalissima 2022 winner

- U20 World Cup winner

- World Cup POTT

- Copa América POTT x3

- Copa América Top scorer

- U20 WC POTT

GOAT 🐐