Between 1985 and 1993, the only two editions of the Intercontinental Championship of National Teams were held in Europe and South America, popularly known as the Conmebol-UEFA Champions Cup (or Finalissima). Just like now, at that time the tournament had a name that, although not official, was the most common to refer to it: the Artemio Franchi Cup.
This tournament, which pitted the champions of the most powerful football confederations in the world against each other, was named in honor of the namesake of the former president of UEFA who died in a car accident in 1983. Its format emulated that of the then current Intercontinental Cup (at the club level), although unlike the latter it was decided in a single match.
Despite its short existence, FIFA officially recognizes the titles won by the two only winners: France and Argentina. With its reactivation, which could crown Argentina as the two-time champion if they defeat Italy, it is expected that this second stage of the tournament will be as attractive or even more attractive than in its early years.
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Artemio Franchi Cup 1985: France vs. Uruguay
The French and the Uruguayans faced each other on August 21, 1985 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. The Blues arrived as the reigning champions of Europe after defeating Spain in the final of the 1984 Euro, while the Celeste had done the same in 1983 against Brazil.
This first edition of the Cup ended with a 2-0 victory for the hosts thanks to goals from Dominique Rocheteau and José Touré. Although a second Artemio Franchi celebration was planned for 1989, the year in which the new continental champions would be known, it was postponed for a couple of years.
France was the first champion of this tournament. Photo: UEFA
Artemio Franchi Cup 1993: Argentina vs. Denmark
The rematch between Europe and South America found the powerful Albiceleste as the champion of the 1991 Copa America and the surprising Danish team that had been crowned in the 1992 Euro despite being invited.
On February 24, 1993, at the José María Minella stadium in Mar del Plata, the South Americans, with Maradona on their side, struggled to win 5-4 on penalties. This after drawing 1-1 in regular time with an own goal by Néstor Craviotto for the Danes and a goal by Claudio Caniggia for the home team.
The Artemio Franchi Cup was Maradona's last title with Argentina. Photo: El Gráfico
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Why was the Artemio Franchi Cup discontinued?
Although the exact reasons for the end of the Cup were never confirmed, the majority of fans agree that the emergence of the Confederations Cup in 1991 diminished its appeal, as this new tournament had a more global character by including countries from more confederations.
Ironically, the extinction of this competition in 2017 opened the doors for the return of the Artemio Franchi Cup. It was planned for 2018 as a quadrangular, but it was not held that year due to the outbreak of the FIFA Gate, a corruption scandal that implicated Nicolás Leoz and Michel Platini, then presidents of Conmebol and UEFA, respectively.