Italy and Argentina renew rivalry for 1st time in 12 years in match dedicated to Pope Francis

LONDON – Twelve years after Italy’s last match against Argentina, the two predominantly Roman Catholic and football-crazy nations are renewing their storied rivalry in a friendly game placed under the auspices of Pope Francis.

After months of talks, the Italian and Argentinian federations managed to set up Wednesday’s encounter in Rome that will be dedicated to the pope, who is a football fan and comes from Argentina.

Italy’s last match with Argentina was also a friendly in Rome, in 2001, which Argentina won 2-1. Before that, Diego Maradona’s Argentina knocked host Italy out of the 1990 World Cup on penalties in a memorable semifinal in Naples.

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