Goals from Lautaro Martínez, Ángel Di María, and Paulo Dybala gave Argentina a 3-0 victory over Italy on Wednesday in the first Finalissima meeting of the South American and European champions.
The opening goal was created by Lionel Messi’s solo brilliance taking him past Giovanni Di Lorenzo and the Argentina captain squared for Martínez to slot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 28th minute.
Messi’s run and cross set up the opener for Lautaro Martinez, who then turned provider for Di Maria to chip a second.
Messi’s performance hasn’t really been great in French football, in which he has only scored 11 times – his lowest return in 16 years. But he thrived in an atmosphere fuelled by vocal Argentine support.
“We knew it was going to be a nice match and a nice setting to be champion,” he said.
“It was a beautiful final, full of Argentines. What we experienced here was beautiful.”
Substitute Paulo Dybala rounded off a handsome win in injury time.
The contest is the first between the two continental champions in 29 years.
