Argentina celebrates the title

Havana, June 2 (JIT) - Argentina's national soccer team was crowned champion of the Conmebol-UEFA 2022 Champions Cup in the return of this trophy to the international soccer calendar.

As in 1993 under Diego Armando Maradona, the Albiceleste lifted the trophy it contended for in its own right after winning the Copa América 2021 and this time had as its rival Italy, holders of the European Championship in the same year.

Led by Lionel Messi and an inspired Angel Di Maria, the South Americans dominated the Azzurri all along the line as they bid farewell to their captain, defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 27th minute after a killer pass from Argentina's No. 10, who broke Di Lorenzo's marker and made Roman right-back Leonardo Spinazzola miss.

Just before the end of the first half, Argentina's second came. Lautaro played a deep pass to Di Maria, who tapped the ball past goalkeeper Donnarumma.

Italy was suffering from the lack of goals from the Bernarderschi-Raspadori-Belotti trident after the absence of Insigne and Chiesa. The lack of Verrati weighed even more, especially because of Pessina's deficiencies in controlling the game with the ball.

Mancini came back from halftime thinking about the Nations League, in a clear hint of giving up the game, he left Belotti and Bernadeschi on the bench and gave up on the chances of a comeback.

The game had 45 minutes to spare had it not been for Pablo Dybala's third goal, which made the South American fans at Wembley explode.

With the 3-0 win, the Argentinians won just their second title in the Messi era, who was boosted by his teammates after the referee blew the final whistle.