In a bid to broaden cooperation between UEFA and CONMEBOL, the governing bodies regulating football in Europe and South America, respectively, have announced a friendly game between the winners of the UEFA Euro 2020 and Copa America 2021.
UEFA and CONMEBOL beleive this match will go a long way in expanding the existing cooperation between the bodies, which includes further development of women’s football, futsal and exchange of referees among other categories. The agreement also states that a joint-office will be opened in London to oversee the bilateral ties between these two continental boards.
The UEFA and CONMEBOL counsels have also agreed upon collaborating across various dimensions of the game, which includes the technical advancements and also moral policies.
“By reaching this agreement, UEFA and CONMEBOL express their commitment to the development of football beyond their geographical zones, as a bridge uniting people, countries, continents and cultures.
The UEFA Executive Committee and the CONMEBOL Council also expressed a strong willingness to continue collaborating on other issues of mutual interest going forward,”
both governing bodies said in a collective statement.
In July, Italy defeated England (1-1; 3-2 on penalties) in the Euro final held at Wembley, whilst Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana, where a goal from Angel Di Maria proved to be the difference.
La Albiceleste remained without a major trophy for 28 years, with their side’s last silverware experience coming in 1993, when they won the Copa America. They had reached the World Cup in 2014 alongside two other Copa America final appearances, where they lost to Chile in 2016 and 2017.
The Azzurri had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing to Sweden 1-0 in qualification. However, Roberto Mancini’s appointment in 2018 turned things around for the side, who played some sensational football besides getting results regularly.
In the final, having gone 1-0 down to Luke Shaw’s goal, Italy fought back, and a second-half goal from Leonardo Bonucci took them to extra-time, and penalties followed. Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two penalties in addition to Marcus Rashford hitting the post, as Italy were crowned champions against all the odds.
