Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi stole the show as Copa America holders Argentina, crushed European champions Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima at Wembley on Wednesday.
Messi’s run and cross set up the opener for Lautaro Martinez, who then turned provider for Di Maria to chip a second, while substitute Paulo Dybala rounded off an impressive win in injury time.
For Italy, Wednesday’s game could have been a celebration – a return to the scene of their Euro 2020 triumph and a chance to say goodbye to veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Chiellini played the first half of what was his 118th and final international match.
The contest is the first between the two continental champions in 29 years.
It is a revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup, competed for twice before – in 1985, when France beat Uruguay and in 1993, when Argentina beat Denmark on penalties.
