Argentina

Team Overview

The Argentina National Football Team or the Albicelestes (light blue and whites) along with the French national sides, are the only national teams in the world that have conquered the four most important competitions organized FIFA: World Cup, Gold medal in the Olympic Games, Confederations Cup, and the Continental Cup (Copa America). Argentina has won two FIFA World Cup titles, once in 1978 and the other in 1986. The Albicelestes have also been runners up twice, once in the 1930 World cup and the 1990 World Cup. Argentina also has won the Copa America in 14 different occasions.

History

Early Years

The first match of Argentina was on the 16th of May 1901 against the national squad of Uruguay in Montevideo; the match ended 3-2 in favour of Argentina. The lack of international competitions drove Argentina to just play friendly matches against South American squads. The long distances and World War I prevented Argentina from playing against European teams. Nevertheless, Argentina played its first match in European territory in 1928 prior to going to the Olympic Games that were being in Netherlands. The match was against Portugal and it ended 0-0, but the Argentinean squad won the silver medal after losing to Uruguay in the final.

The Albicelestes won their first four Copa America titles in 1921, 1925, 1927, and 1929. The 1930 World Cup was very successful tournament for the Argentinean national squad; Argentina reached the final match against Uruguay, but lost 4-2 in front of 93,000 spectators in the mythic estadio Cenetario of Montevideo.

1978 First World Cup

In 1974 David Bracuto president of the AFA named Cesar Luis Menotti to be the head coach of the Argentinean national team. The “Flaco” Menotti lead Argentina’s U-21 squad to win the world famous recognized Toulon Tournament (Turnoi Espoirs de Toulon) in 1975; Argentina beat France 1-0 in the final. Three years later Argentina hosted the 1987 FIFA World Cup; but Menotti had sparked a nation wide debate for leaving young star Diego Armando Maradona out of the team. The Albicelestes lead by striker Mario Kempes, who scored two goals in the final game against the Netherlands to win their first FIFA World Cup.

Argentina Captures Second World Cup with a Little Hand from God

In 1983 the AFA, under the administration of Julio Humberto Grondona decided to name Carlos Salvador Bilardo as head coach of the Argentinean national squad. Bilardo’s new style of playing football: 3-5-2 attracted the new management of the Argentine Football Association.

Bilardo had good results in his first couple games as coach of the Argentine team; Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 and beat Germany 3-1. Bilardo then took a really important decision that would affect the Argentinean national team; he decided to name young Diego Armando Maradona as new captain of the Albicelestes, leaving Daniel Alberto Passarella behind.

Argentina had to wait to the last game of the South American Qualifiers against Peru, to have a spot for the 1986 FIFA World Cup being held in Mexico. The Albicelestes won their first game of the 1986 World Cup 3-1 against South Korea. In the second game, Argentina tied 1-1 against the world champions Italy, and in the final group game defeated Bulgaria 2-0. In the second round game, the Albicelestes beat the Uruguayan national team 1-0. In the quarterfinal game Argentina defeated England 2-1 with two amazing goals from Diego Armando Maradona.

The first goal by Maradona was scored illegally as he punched the ball past the England goalkeeper; after the game Maradona said that the goal was scored with “a bit with the head of Maradona and another bit with the hand of God.” Hence, that goal is known throughout the world as the “The Hand of God.” The second goal that Maradona scored against England was voted in 2002 on the FIFA website as the best of the century; Maradona received the ball before the half field line and dribbled past five English players before scoring.

In the semi-finals, Diego Armando Maradona scored two goals in the second half to beat Belgium 2-0. In the final game, Argentina faced West Germany; the Albicelestes started winning 2-0, but the Germans lead by Rudy Voller came back to tie the match, but in the 84th Maradona gave Jose Luis Burruchaga an amazing pass to score the goal that meant the World Cup Championship.

1990 Disappointment

In 1987, one year later after conquering the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Argentina hosted the Copa America. But Argentina had a disappointing tournament as they lost 1-0 to Uruguay in the semi-finals and then lost 2-1 against Colombia ending up with the fourth place in the tournament.

In 1990 FIFA World Cup held in Italy, the Albicelestes surprisingly lost their first game against a tough and fast team from Cameroon 1-0. In the second game, the Argentines defeated the Soviet Union 2-0. In the final group game, Argentina tied 1-1 against Romania which allowed the Albicelestes to make it to the next round. In the second round Argentina played against powerful Brazil, and defeated the Brazilians 1-0 with an extraordinary goal from Claudio Caniggia who had received a magical pass from Diego Armando Maradona.

In the quarterfinals, Argentina defeated Yugoslavia in penalties after a scoreless draw. In the semi-finals, the Albicelestes had to play against the hosts Italy; the match ended 1-1 and the game had to be decided in penalty shoot outs. Argentine goal keeper Goycochea stopped to Italian shots and gave Argentina the victory. The Albicelestes had made it to their second consecutive World Cup final, and had to play the final against West Germany once again. West Germany had their revenge as they beat Argentina 1-0 with a penalty goal in the 84th minute.

1994 Scandal

For the 1994 FIFA World Cup being held in the United States, Argentina had appointed Alfio Basile as the new head coach. Still under the leadership of Diego Armando Maradona, the Albicelestes managed to have an amazing performance in the first two games of the group stage; Argentina defeated Greece 4-0 and beat Nigeria 2-1. But after the game against Nigeria, FIFA announced that Maradona had failed the drug test and had to be expelled from the tournament. Losing their number one star affected the Argentine team who lost their next game against Bulgaria, and then was defeated by Romania in the second round.

2006 World Cup

In 2004 Jose Ernesto Pekerman was appointed as head coach of the Argentine squad. Pekerman who had won three FIFA World Youth Championships: Qatar 1995, Malaysia 1997, and Argentina 2001, was the favourite to coach the national squad. Pekerman had a good performance in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany and made it all the way to the final game, but lost to Brazil 4-1. For the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Argentina was placed in the group of “death” along with Ivory Coast, Serbia, and the Netherlands.

Argentina won the first game against Ivory Coast, and defeated Serbia 6-0 with an outstanding performance from Lionel Messi; Argentina ended up with a scoreless tie the last group game against Netherlands. In the next round, Argentina played a hard Mexican in the best game of the 2006 World Cup as Joseph Blatter stated; the match ended 1-1 and had to go to extra time where a magical goal from Maxi Rodriguez in the last minutes gave Argentina the win. In the quarterfinals Argentina had to play against the host Germany, the game ended up 1-1 and had to go to penalties where an amazing performance from German goalkeeper James Lehmann gave Germany the win.

Stars of the Current Squad

Sergio Aguero

• Date of Birth: June 22, 1988
• Position: Forward
• Height: 172cm
• Sergio Aguero is an explosive forward that could also play as an attacking midfielder. Has an amazing control with the ball at his feet and his speed makes it almost impossible for defenders to stop him. Sports Illustrated has compared Aguero to Diego Armando Maradona. In spite of his young age Sergio has become an idol for the fans of Atletico de Madrid.

Javier Zanetti

• Date of Birth: August 10, 1973
• Position: Right Back
• Height: 178cm
• Javier Zanetti is the most capped player ever in Argentina with 117 caps. Zanetti is an explosive and fast right back that moves really well along the sidelines. Javier has been captain of his club team Internazionale since 1995. His strength, stamina, and speed when running past opposing defenders when joining the attack makes him of the best players in the world in that position.

Julio Ricardo Cruz

• Date of Birth: October 10, 1974
• Position: Striker
• Height: 191 cm
• Julio Cruz is a strong and tall striker that moves well in the box. Cruz has scored 44 goals in 108 appearances for his team Internazionale. His ability to score goals has earned him a spot a starting position in his club team and in the Argentine national squad.

Lionel Messi

• Date of Birth: June 24, 1987
• Position: Winger/Second Striker
• Height: 169cm
• Lionel Messi has been named the natural successor of Diego Armando Maradona. Messis speed, ability, skills has captivated fans from all over the world who stop to watch this wiz kid play football. Messi’s amazing performances with his club team Barcelona and the Argentine national squad makes “La Pulga” one of the best football players in the world.

Team Legends

Diego Maradona

• Full Name: Diego Armando Maradona
• Date of Birth: October 30, 1960
• Position: Attacking Midfielder/Forward
• Caps: 91
• Goals: 34

Mario Kempes

• Full Name: Mario Alberto Kempes
• Date of Birth: July 15, 1954
• Position: Striker
• Caps: 43
• Goals: 20

Gabriel Batistuta

• Full Name: Gabriel Omar Batistuta
• Date of Birth: February 1, 1969
• Position: Striker
• Caps: 78
• Goals: 56

Javier Zanetti

• Full Name: Javier Adelmar Zanetti
• Date of Birth: August 10, 1973
• Position: Right Back
• Caps: 118
• Goals: 5

Daniel Passarella

• Full Name: Daniel Alberto Passarella
• Date of Birth: May 25, 1953
• Position: Defender
• Caps: 70
• Goals: 22

Diego Simione

• Full Name: Diego Pablo Simione
• Date of Birth: April 28, 1970
• Position: Midfielder
• Caps: 106
• Goals: 11

Most International Matches Played

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

FIFA World Cup

• Two time FIFA World Cup Champions: 1978, 1986

Copa America

• 14 Copa America Champions: 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993

Management

Head Coach: Alfio Basile

Alfio Basile was named head coach of Argentina after the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The AFA has given Basile another chance to coach the Albicelestes after the disappointing World Cup elimination in 1994. Basile’s participation in the 2007 Copa America was not successful, as Argentina lost 2-0 against Brazil in the final game.

Uniforms

Important Links

• http://www.afa.org.ar/

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_national_football_team
• http://www.afa.org.ar/