Finalissima 2022

Lore & Background

The 2022 Finalissima was a revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup (also known as the European/South American Nations Cup), first played in 1985 and then in 1993. France won the 1985 edition in Paris, while Argentina won the 1993 match in Mar del Plata. The competition was discontinued thereafter. On 12 February 2020, UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed memorandum of understanding meant to enhance cooperation. On 28 September 2021, they confirmed that the UEFA European Championship and Copa América winners would face each other in an intercontinental match, with the agreement initially covering three editions starting in 2022. On 15 December 2021, a renewed memorandum lasting until 2028 included provisions on opening a joint office in London and the potential organisation of various football events. The match was confirmed to take place in London on 1 June 2022. On 22 March 2022, UEFA announced the match would take place at Wembley Stadium, and the brand identity was revealed, with the match known as the Finalissima.

In Their Own Story

The London rain had stopped, leaving Wembley's grass glistening under the floodlights as the Argentine anthem echoed through the stadium. The sea of white and blue in the stands was deafening, a wall of sound pressing against the silence of the Italian faithful. When Di Maria broke away on the left flank, time seemed to slow; he cut inside, the ball glued to his boot, before sliding it perfectly across the penalty area for Messi to tap home. The roar that followed wasn't just about a goal; it was the release of decades of pressure, a collective exhale from a nation that had waited too long to taste victory again.

Reader's Guide

The match was held at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Wembley Stadium opened in 2007 on the site of the original stadium. Owned by the Football Association (FA), it serves as England's national football stadium. The stadium was a host venue of UEFA Euro 2020, including the final, won by Italy on penalties over England. The original stadium opened in 1923 and hosted matches at the 1966 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1996. Both national teams had to submit a squad of 23 players – of which three had to be goalkeepers – by 29 May 2022. Italy announced a 39-man preliminary squad on 23 May 2022, extended to 45 players on 27 May, with the final squad announced on 30 May. Argentina announced a 35-man preliminary squad on 13 May 2022, reduced to 29 players on 20 May, with the final squad announced on 1 June. The stadium capacity was 86,000 for the match, with tickets sold on a first-come, first-served basis via UEFA.com from 24 March 2022 in four price categories: £25, £40, £55 and £99. Chilean referee Piero Maza was announced as the referee on 30 May 2022, joined by fellow countrymen Christian Schiemann and Claudio Ríos as assistant referees. Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano served as the fourth official, with compatriots Alejandro Hernández Hernández and Juan Martínez Munuera as VAR and VAR assistant, respectively. Tiago Martins of Portugal was the other VAR assistant.

Did You Know?

• The 2022 Finalissima was the third edition of the intercontinental match between the winners of the previous South American and European championships, following editions in 1985 and 1993.
• The match was a revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup, last played 29 years prior.
• Argentina won the match 3–0 for their second Finalissima title.
• The brand identity for the match was revealed on 22 March 2022, with the match known as the Finalissima, Italian for 'grand final'.
• The logo was based on the laurel wreath, a symbol of victory, featuring ribbons in the colours of the competing nations and platinum and gold ribbons to highlight the significance of the match.