ITALY are taking on Argentina in a clash between the winner of the European Championship and Copa America dubbed ‘Finalissima’.
While Argentina will see this as a big game in their World Cup preparations, Italy will be desperate to prove their mettle after failing to qualify for the second World Cup running.
After finishing second in their qualifying group behind Switzerland, the European champs were stunned in the play-off at home to North Macedonia.
The night will be an emotional one for Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini, who is retiring from international football at the scene of his greatest triumph – last year’s Euro 2020 final win over England.
What time does Italy vs Argentina kick off?
- Italy’s big clash with Argentina will get underway from 7.45pm UK time TONIGHT.
- The game will be played at Wembley Stadium in London.
- As there is a trophy at stake in this match, there will have to be a winner and a loser. That means the Wembley crowd will be treated to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes if the scores are level.
- Italy’s last game with Argentina was a friendly in 2018, and they lost 2-0.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
- Italy vs Argentina will be shown live on Premier Sports 1 in the UK.
- A Premier Sports subscription is available for UK viewers from £9.99/month.
- You can live stream the action from the Premier Player, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
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Team news
Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Pessina, Jorginho, Barella; Bernardeschi, Belotti, Raspadori.
Argentina XI: Martínez: Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Guido Rodríguez, Messi, Dybala, Di María; Lautaro.
Latest odds
90 minutes only
- Italy to win 21/10
- Draw 15/8
- Argentina to win 5/4
To lift the trophy
- Italy to win 11/10
- Argentina to win 4/6
*Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct at time of publication
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Italy starting XI:
Giorgio Chiellini captains his country tonight in what will be an emotional evening in his last game in an Italian shirt.
Italian fans will get to see the formidable partnership of Bonucci and Chiellini who have been the spine of the national side for so many years.
Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Pessina, Jorginho, Barella, Bernardeschi, Belotti, Raspadori.
![Credit: @Azzurri_En]()
Credit: @Azzurri_En -
Form is temporary, class permanent
Lionel Scaloni’s side have not played since March but are unbeaten in all competitions since July 2019, which should give them confidence going into the game.
Their winning streak stretches to 31 matches in all competitions.
Argentina won the 1993 edition, then called The Artemio Franchi Cup, by beating Denmark on penalties.
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Hunger for trophies ever-present
Argentina won the Copa America for the first time since 1993 last summer when Angel Di Maria scored the winner against Brazil.
La Albiceleste were runners-up at the 2014 World Cup but went out in the ‘Round of 16’ in the 2018 tournament.
They will be bidding to win the trophy for the third time this winter in Qatar.
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New threads for big stage
Roberto Mancini’s team will be sporting a new top for this evening’s game.
With no World Cup Finals to look forward to this year, the Italian manager will be wanting to give their fans something to celebrate.
To bring in a new dawn for Italian football, where it is unthinkable for them to not qualify for major tournaments.
![Credit: @Azzurri_En]()
Credit: @Azzurri_En -
Mancini looking to change the tide
Italy have lost each of their last three matches against Argentina, which have all been friendly matches.
Their last competitive meeting was in the 1990 World Cup.
On that occasion, Argentina won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the semi-finals of the competition.
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The man, the myth, the rock, the legend
Today will be the last international appearance of Giorgio Chiellini as he faces Argentina in the final this evening, brining a long international career to a close.
The veteran defender has had an illustrious career at club level and has also won the European Championship with his country, voted the tournament’s best defender in the process.
Winning the trophy tonight would be the perfect send-off for the Italian talisman.
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Finalissama 2022 match of champions
Roberto Mancini paid homage to the career of his ex-players and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero:
I want to send Sergio Aguero a huge hug. I was managing [Manchester] City ten years ago when he arrived, so I know him very well. I am sad about what happened to him. It is a shame that someone so young has to retire. Because for me, he has been one of the best strikers in the world for the last 15 years. I want to send him a huge hug and wish him a beautiful life in the future.
Roberto Mancini
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Disappointment for Italian supporters
Despite becoming European champions for just the second time in their history, they have incredibly now missed out on qualification for the last two World Cups.
They failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament after losing 1-0 on aggregate to Sweden in a two-legged playoff.
Italy missed out on this winter’s showpiece in Qatar after losing to North Macedonia in the semi-finals of the playoffs back in March.
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Attacking options for South Americans
After Lionel Messi (81), Lautaro Martinez (19) and Angel Di Maria (24) are the highest scorers in the Argentina squad.
Man City’s Julian Alvarez can expect to play some role in the game.
Brighton’s Alexis MacAllister is hoping to be involved while Nehuen Perez and Marcos Senesi will be hoping to be given opportunities to make their first appearances for the national side in London.
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Welcome to Italy vs Argentina
Italy face Argentina at Wembley this evening as the winners of Euro 2020 take on the holders of the Copa America in the UEFA Cup of Champions Final.
There will be no extra-time this evening so should the scores be level after 90 minutes then we will be treated to all the drama of a penalty shootout.
The Azzurri beat England on penalties last summer to become European champions, while Argentina recorded a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the final of the Copa America, thanks to an Angel Di Maria goal.
Dominico Berard and Andrea Pinamonti are both out through injury while Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Gaetano Castrovilli and Rafael Toloi are also on the sidelines.
Jorginho and Marco Veratti are both expected to start in midfield, while Nicolo Zanolo and Lorenzo Insigne are likely to feature in the forward line.
There could be a fourth cap for Gianluca Scamacca who had a strong season at Sassuolo, while there are 12 players in the squad looking to make their first appearance for Italy, including 18-year-old Wilfried Gnonto.
As for Argentina, Lionel Messi could be joined in the forward line by Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria while Cristian Romero is set to play alongside Nicolas Otamendi in the middle of defence.
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