Finalissima 2022, Italy vs Argentina: All you need to know
Wednesday, 1 June 2022
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How does UEFA and CONMEBOL's joint showdown work? Where was the 2022 final?
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What is the Finalissima?
The fixture pits the champions of Europe against their South American counterparts, in a showdown agreed after UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding on 15 December 2021.
Who played in the 2022 Finalissima?
UEFA EURO 2020 winners Italy took on Copa América victors Argentina.
Italy booked their place by claiming the European crown last summer, defeating England on penalties in the Wembley final for their second continental title.
Argentina ended a 28-year wait for a trophy by winning the 2021 Copa América, beating Brazil 1-0 in the decider to clinch a record-equalling 15th Copa América title.
How does the Finalissima work?
The Finalissima is a one-off fixture played over 90 minutes. There is no extra time, so if the tie is level at the end of regulation time then it goes straight to penalties. The referee appointment was made jointly by the two confederations.
What about Finalissima tickets?
When was the Finalissima played?
The game took place on Wednesday 1 June 2022. It kicked off at 20:45 CET (19:45 local time, 15:45 in Argentina).
Where was the Finalissima held in 2022?
Wembley Stadium in London staged the 2022 edition.
Why has the Finalissima been introduced?
The match is part of the expansion of the cooperation between UEFA and CONMEBOL, which notably includes women's football, futsal and youth categories, the exchange of referees, as well as technical training schemes.
As UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin explained in December, "We are very much looking forward to exploring new opportunities together and we are eagerly awaiting the Finalissima in London in June 2022."
What do the winners get?
The CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions trophy is made of brass and coated in silver plating, stands at 45cm in height and weighs 8.5kg. The shape and design is much as it was when it was originally made ahead of the first edition in 1985.
Have the European champions and Copa América winners met before in an official showdown?
This was the third time the EURO holders have met their South American counterparts in a match organised by UEFA and CONMEBOL. In 1985, France defeated Uruguay 2-0 in Paris, and eight years later Argentina edged out Denmark on penalties on home turf at Mar del Plata.