Italy 0-3 Argentina: 5 Hits and Flops as vintage Lionel Messi rolls back the years in Finalissima triumph

The Argentines defeated the European champions at Wembley
The Argentines defeated the European champions at Wembley

#3 Hit: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi has won another trophy with his country
Lionel Messi has won another trophy with his country

Lionel Messi may not have enjoyed the best of seasons with PSG, but he seems to have no such problems with Argentina. The former Barcelona man is visibly passionate about his national team and was virtually unplayable in the Finalissima.

Messi broke the game wide open in the first half, outmuscling the Italian defence to put the ball on a silver platter for Lautaro Martinez. The modern-day legend made the most of his midfield's work rate and was a lethal presence in the final third.

With the Copa America winners controlling most of the game, Lionel Messi put his foot on the pedal in the second half and peppered Donnarumma's goal. The Argentine was instrumental in Dybala's goal and bagged another well-deserved trophy with his country.


#2 Flop: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Bonucci did not have the best of nights
Bonucci did not have the best of nights

Leonardo Bonucci has been Italy's defensive rock for the better part of the past decade, but he wasn't anywhere near his solid best against Argentina. The Azzurri centre-back was regularly outpaced by Argentina's forward line.

Bonucci was caught napping in the build-up to the first goal and was eviscerated by Lautaro Martinez as the South Americans took the game away from Italy. The Juventus man was slow on the turn and needed his fellow defenders to bail him out on a number of occasions.

The second half did not get any easier for Bonucci as he nearly scored an open goal with a simple back-pass that caught his goalkeeper out of position. With Italy gearing up for a transition, Leonardo Bonucci may well be approaching the end of his Azzurri career.


#1 Hit: Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)

Martinez was exceptional against Italy
Martinez was exceptional against Italy

Lautaro Martinez has consistently been chosen as Argentina's hitman over the past year, and for good reason. The Inter Milan striker was as decisive as ever against Italy and ensured that the Azzurri were reeling at half-time.

While the Albicelestes' first goal was a testament to his typically lethal poaching instincts, the second shed light on qualities seldom associated with Lautaro Martinez. The striker effortlessly turned Bonucci before bursting into the final third and playing a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Angel Di Maria.

Martinez was considerably quieter in the second half but remained a menace throughout the game. The Nerazzurri star worked well with Messi and Di Maria and has an excellent future ahead of him with the national team.

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