24
21:13
Giacomo Raspadori first gets stuck in the wall, but gets another corner kick with the follow-up shot.
22
21:12
Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) is shown a yellow card.
Emerson picks up the pace and pulls into the middle. Next free kick for Italy.
21
21:11
The Squadra Azzurra are allowed a corner kick and then a half-field free-kick, making themselves comfortable in the Argentine half.
20
21:10
There is the first clear opportunity! Federico Bernardeschi is sent down on the right and brings the ball in sharply. Cristian Romero just clears in front of Andrea Belotti, who is lurking on the edge of five.
18
21:07
A good quarter of an hour has been played, clear chances to score are still a long way off. However, the game is extremely intense.
17
21:07
Nice triangulation between Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso. The pass left out to Nico Tagliafico, who had moved up, was intercepted.
15
21:04
Italy are trying to get more possession of the ball, but Argentina keep winning back the ball in sensitive areas with consistent duels.
12
21:02
Jorginho plays a great pass from the edge of the box to Giacomo Raspadori, who puts the first shot into Emiliano Martínez’s goal. However, too central.
10
20:59
The instructions seem to be bearing fruit: Pessina puts pressure on Otamendi, who bounces the ball. After all, Italy jumps out with a throw-in near the goal.
9
20:58
Argentina has now seized control of the game. Roberto Mancini doesn’t look happy and loudly gives instructions to Matteo Pessina.
7
20:56
The execution is a long time coming, then Messi gets stuck on the wall with the lift attempt.
6
20:55
Lionel Messi creates a little space near the penalty area and takes out a promising free-kick against Jorginho. Surely the fouled himself will compete.
4
20:54
The Albiceleste tried a long ball for the second time, but the unfortunate pass from Ángel Di María ended up in the arms of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
3
20:52
On the other hand, when Argentina have possession of the ball, Italy retreats far behind. Interesting early stages.
2
20:51
Italy interfered early and recovered the ball from beyond the halfway line through Emerson.
1
20:50
And off! Both teams wear their traditional colors.
20:44
The referee’s name is Piero Maza, he comes from Chile and is whistling his first official international match today. However, he is a regular in the South American club competition Copa Libertadores, including last week’s 1-0 win over Deportivo Cali by Boca Juniors.
20:41
This title game also has a great show to offer. Two oversized jerseys from both teams are spun around in their respective halves of the field to gladiator music.
20:36
Under Lionel Scaloni, who was previously largely unknown as head coach, Argentina has now gone 31 games unbeaten. In reference to the former U20 coach, the Argentine national team is now referred to by many in their home country as “Scaloneta”.
20:20
The defender will face a trio of Ángel Di María, Lautaro Martínez and Lionel Messi today. Rodrigo de Paul and Giovani Lo Celso emanate additional goal threats from behind. However, the Albiceleste have only conceded eight goals in 18 World Cup qualifiers.
20:14
On the Italian side, Giorgio Chiellini is playing his farewell game for the national team today. “I always wanted to stop at a high level. And I’ve done it now,” said the 37-year-old proudly. His transfer from Juventus Turin to Los Angeles FC is said to be as good as dry.
20:08
If there was a draw after 90 minutes, it would go straight to penalties. The winner receives an official trophy with the illustrious name CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions.
19:57
Another fact speaks for the Albiceleste today: all four encounters with Italy since 1990 have been decided by the South Americans. Most recently, Argentina won 2-0 in a friendly in Manchester in 2018.
19:54
While Argentina came through the World Cup qualifiers in South America with ease and in Qatar they have a manageable group with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland, Italy will, as is well known, not take part in the final tournament in December. Squadra Azzurra lost 1-0 to North Macedonia in the play-offs.
19:50
This game will only be played for the third time in history. France beat Uruguay 2-0 in Paris in 1985 and Argentina beat Denmark 5-4 on penalties on home soil in 1993. Now, for the first time, a neutral venue has been chosen.
19:48
Good evening and welcome to a new edition of the finalissima between the European champion and the South American champion. At 8:45 p.m., Italy and Argentina will meet at Wembley Stadium!