Argentina and Spain will face off in the Finalissima after winning the Copa America 2024 and EURO 2024 respectively.
While Spain Spain defeated England with two goals to one to be crowned the new European champion, the world champion, Argentina trashed Colombia with 1 goal to nil to defend their Copa America title.
What’s Fanalissima?
The Finalissima is a unique tournament that brings together the winners of UEFA’s European Championship and CONMEBOL’s Copa America. This single-match event features the champions of these prestigious continental tournaments competing for the special Finalissima trophy.
On December 15, 2021, UEFA and CONMEBOL signed a renewed and extended Memorandum of Understanding. In the 2022 edition of the Finalissima, Argentina emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over Italy at Wembley Stadium.
The term “Finalissima” translates to “grand final” in Italian. Previously, this event was officially named the European/South American Nations Cup and later the Artemio Franchi Cup, named after the former Italian president of UEFA who originally conceived the idea.
World Champion beats Colombia 1-0 to clinch 16th Copa America
Argentina won their second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi’s second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 with Lautaro Martínez’s 112th-minute goal.
Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench and sobbed. Martinez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal propelling Argentina to its 16th Copa title.
The game, delayed by more than an hour after thousands of fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium, was a cagey affair over 90 minutes but opened up in the extra period.
Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner as Spain triumphed in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, beating England 2-1 to confirm their re-emergence as a force on the international stage.England had been dreaming of winning a first title in almost six decades and it looked as if it could be their night as Spain lost influential midfielder Rodri to injury at half-time.
Yet Spain shrugged that off to take the lead within two minutes of the restart through Nico Williams, who was set up by his fellow star winger, Lamine Yamal.
England came from behind as they have done so often at this Euros, substitute Cole Palmer driving in the equaliser on 73 minutes, moments after entering the fray.
But their resurgence in the game was cut short when Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown, and a third in the last five editions.
Where is the Finalissima 2025 being played?
Wembley was the venue for the 2022 Finalissima. The announcement of the next edition in 2025 is still awaited, and it remains to be seen whether UEFA and CONMBEOL decide to repeat the event in London or whether there is a possibility of moving the venue.