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EspañolARGENTINA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
The 'Argentina national football team' is the national football team of Argentina and is controlled by the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA).
Argentina is one of the most successful national football teams in the world, having won 2 World Cups in 1978 and 1986. Argentina has also won the Copa América a record 14 times. Moreover, Argentina has also won the Confederations Cup and Olympic football tournament.
History
''La Selección'', also known as the ''Albicelestes'' (Light blue and whites), has appeared in four World Cup finals, including the first final in 1930, which they lost 4-2 to Uruguay. Argentina won in their next final in 1978, beating the Netherlands 3-1. Argentina, led by Diego Maradona won again in 1986, a 3-2 victory over West Germany. Their most recent World Cup final was in 1990, which they lost 1-0 to Germany by a much disputed penalty.
Argentina has been very successful in the Copa América, winning it fourteen times and also winning the 'extra' South American Championships in 1941, 1945 and 1946.
Argentina also won six of the fourteen football competitions at the Pan American Games, winning in 1951, 1955, 1959, 1971, 1995 and 2003.
Argentina also won the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Kirin Cup, both in 1992. Argentina also won the Olympics football gold medal in Athens 2004.
In March 2007, Argentina reached the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time.
World Cup 2006
Argentina had been eliminated at the group stage at Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, although they had been among the pre-tournament favourites. There was a high expectation of a better performance in the Germany 2006.
Argentina won their opening game of the tournament beating Ivory Coast 2-1. On the second game, Argentina performed beyond expectation when they record the biggest victory of the tournament by defeating Serbia and Montenegro 6-0. Argentina qualified from the group stage as Group C winners, after 0-0 draw against Netherlands who subsequently qualified as Group C runners-up.
On June 24, in the round of sixteen, Argentina defeated Mexico national football team in a 2-1 extra-time match. The winning goal was a wonder strike by Maxi Rodríguez in extra time, volleying a shot into the upper left corner of the net. In an official online poll by FIFA, this was voted the best goal of the World Cup [1]. (Esteban Cambiasso's goal against Serbia and Montenegro won the same title in a British televisionpoll[1])
On June 30, Argentina faced the hosts Germany. Roberto Ayala scored shortly after half-time to give the Argentines a 1-0 lead. Later, while jumping for a header, Germany's Miroslav Klose collided with goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri, injuring the latter in the chest and he had to be carried off of the field. Substitute keeper Leo Franco conceded Klose's equalizing header with 10 minutes to spare. Near the end of regular time, Juan Román Riquelme and Hernán Crespo were substituted off, and Pekerman was later criticized for taking two of his best players off. During the penalty shootout, Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso had their spot kicks saved by German keeper Jens Lehmann, while the Germans scored all of their penalty shots to win the shootout 4-2.
A brawl erupted between the Argentines and Germans after the game ended. Unused substitute Leandro Cufré was sent off for kicking Per Mertesacker, while Maxi Rodríguez hit Bastian Schweinsteiger from behind. Following an investigation of video evidence, FIFA doled out 4-game and 2-game suspensions for Cufre and Rodriguez, respectively. Germany's Torsten Frings was suspended for the semifinal match for punching Julio Ricardo Cruz.
Shortly after the elimination, coach José Pekerman resigned from his position. AFA appointed Alfio Basile, who had previously managed the national side during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Copa América 2007
Argentina, anxious to win the country's first title since 1993, took their strongest squad to Copa América 2007. The coach who won the Copa América both in 1991 and 1993, Alfio Basile, was back, and the team was full of confidence. Argentina was the only team to win all three games in the Group stages - easily beating United States, Colombia and finally, their main group rivals, Paraguay.
Argentina were praised for playing a beautiful attacking game with Juan Roman Riquelme at his very best after a break from the national team. Hernan Crespo was on fire in the opening games and both Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez showed constant brilliance. Riquelme dominated the midfield, where Juan Sebastian Veron was back with solid performances,javier mashcherano was exceptionally good, and the defence was bursting with energy with Javier Zanetti especially effective as right-back. Crespo though was injured in his second game, after scoring a penalty. In the quarter finals Argentina easily defeated Peru 4-0 with two goals from the in-form Riquelme. Messi and Javier Mascherano also scored.
Meanwhile, Brazil had struggled in their first games and seemed to have little spark under their new coach, Dunga. Mexico, playing very well under Hugo Sanchez, seemed set to become Argentina's greatest rivals to win the competition. Argentina though beat Mexico 3-0 in their semi final match with goals from Gabriel Heinze, a sublime effort from Messi and a penalty from Riquelme who took his tally to five goals - just one short of Robinho´s six.
In the final, played in Maracaibo on 15 July, Argentina were strong favourites to beat Brazil and win the Copa América. But Brazil was not to be underestimated and had been gaining in strength as the tournament progressed. In the 4th minute Julio Baptista hammered home a fine goal. Although Argentina nearly equalized just a few minutes later through a Riquelme strike which hit the post, Brazil's relentless defending soon started to undermine Argentina's confidence. In the 40th minute Argentina's captain Roberto Ayala scored an own-goal when trying to clear a Daniel Alves pass. In the second half Argentina seemed subdued. Daniel Alves scord a third goal for Brazil in the 69th minute.
Despite being able to take some consolation in the fact that they had won the most matches in Copa América 2007, and that they had also played some of the best football in the competition up to the final, the Argentines thus lost the final game to Brazil.
Competitive record
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:'' ★ Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.'' :'' ★ ★ Gold background color indicates that the tournament was won. Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.'' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copa America/South American Championship record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total: 14 Titles | |||||||
| Year | Position | Year | Position | Year | Position | ||
| 1916 | Second place | 1939 | ''Withdrew'' | 1967 | Second place | ||
| 1917 | Second place | 1941 | 'Champions' | 1975 | Round 1 | ||
| 1919 | Third place | 1942 | Second place | 1979 | Round 1 | ||
| 1920 | Second place | 1945 | 'Champions' | 1983 | Round 1 | ||
| 1921 | 'Champions' | 1946 | 'Champions' | 1987 | Fourth place | ||
| 1922 | Fourth place | 1947 | 'Champions' | 1989 | Third place | ||
| 1923 | Second place | 1949 | ''Withdrew'' | 1991 | 'Champions' | ||
| 1924 | Second place | 1953 | ''Withdrew'' | 1993 | 'Champions' | ||
| 1925 | 'Champions' | 1955 | 'Champions' | 1995 | Quarter-finals | ||
| 1926 | Second place | 1956 | Third place | 1997 | Quarter-finals | ||
| 1927 | 'Champions' | 1957 | 'Champions' | 1999 | Quarter-finals | ||
| 1929 | 'Champions' | 1959 | 'Champions' | 2001 | ''Withdrew'' | ||
| 1935 | Second place | 1959 | Second place | 2004 | Second place | ||
| 1937 | 'Champions' | 1963 | Third place | 2007 | Second place | ||
===Pan American Games record===
★ 1951 - 'Champions'
★ 1955 - 'Champions'
★ 1959 - 'Champions'
★ 1963 - Second place
★ 1967 - Round 1
★ 1971 - 'Champions'
★ 1975 - Third place
★ 1979 - Third place
★ 1983 - Round 1
★ 1987 - Third place
★ 1991 - ''Did not enter''
★ 1995 - 'Champions'
★ 1999 - ''Did not enter''
★ 2003 - 'Champions'
Kit Evolution
Managers
★ 1924-1925 Angel Vázquez ★ 1927-1928 José Lago Millán ★ 1928-1929 Francisco Olazar ★ 1929-1930 Olazar-Tramutola ★ 1934-1934 Felipe Pascucci ★ 1934-1937 Manuel Seoane ★ 1937-1939 Ángel Fernández Roca ★ 1939-1960 Guillermo Stábile ★ 1960-1961 Victorio Spinetto | ★ 1961-1961 José D'Amico ★ 1962-1963 Juan Carlos Lorenzo ★ 1963-1963 Jim López ★ 1963-1964 Horacio Amable Torres ★ 1964-1968 José María Minella ★ 1968-1968 Renato Cesarini ★ 1968-1969 Humberto Dionisio Maschio ★ 1969-1969 Adolfo Pedernera ★ 1969-1972 Juan José Pizzuti | ★ 1972-1974 Enrique Omar Sívori ★ 1974-1974 Vladislao Cap ★ 1974-1983 César Luis Menotti ★ 1983-1990 Carlos Bilardo ★ 1990-1994 Alfio Basile ★ 1994-1998 Daniel Passarella ★ 1998-2004 Marcelo Bielsa ★ 2004-2006 José Pekerman ★ 2006-present Alfio Basile |
Players
Current Squad
The following players named for friendly match against Australia [2]
As as of and included Norway match
Recent call-ups
here is the players call-up after to Copa America, caps as of before the start of Norway match
Previous squads
★ 2007 Copa América - Argentina
★ 2006 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina
★ 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup squads - Argentina
★ 2002 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina
★ 1998 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina
Most capped players
As of August 22, 2007, the ten players with the most caps for Argentina are:
| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Roberto Ayala | 1994 - 2007 | 115 | 7 |
| 2. | Javier Zanetti | 1994 - present | 112 | 5 |
| 3. | Diego Simeone | 1988 - 2002 | 106 | 11 |
| 4. | Oscar Ruggeri | 1983 - 1994 | 97 | 7 |
| 5. | Diego Maradona | 1977 - 1994 | 91 | 34 |
| 6. | Ariel Ortega | 1993 - 2003 | 86 | 17 |
| 7. | Gabriel Batistuta | 1991 - 2002 | 78 | 56 |
| 8. | Juan Pablo Sorín | 1995 - 2006 | 75 | 11 |
| 9. | Américo Gallego | 1975 - 1982 | 73 | 3 |
| 10. | Daniel Passarella | 1976 - 1986 | 70 | 22 |
Top goalscorers
As of July 16, 2007, the ten players with the most goals for Argentina are:
| # | Name | Career | Goals | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gabriel Batistuta | 1991 - 2002 | 56 | 78 |
| 2. | Hernán Crespo | 1995 - present | 35 | 64 |
| 3. | Diego Maradona | 1977 - 1994 | 34 | 91 |
| 4. | Luis Artime | 1961 - 1967 | 24 | 25 |
| 5. | Leopoldo Luque | 1975 - 1981 | 22 | 45 |
| = | Daniel Passarella | 1976 - 1986 | 22 | 70 |
| 7. | José Sanfilippo | 1956 - 1962 | 21 | 28 |
| = | Herminio Masantonio | 1935 - 1942 | 21 | 29 |
| 9. | Mario Kempes | 1973 - 1982 | 20 | 43 |
| 10. | Norberto Méndez | 1945 - 1956 | 19 | 31 |
| = | José Manuel Moreno | 1936 - 1950 | 19 | 34 |
| = | René Pontoni | 1942 - 1947 | 19 | ? |
Notable players
Trivia
1964 line-up for the Nations' Cup
★ Argentina and Uruguay hold the record for the most international matches played between two countries. The two teams have faced each other 161 times since 1901. The first match against Uruguay was the first official international match to be played outside Britain.[2]
★ Marcelo Trobbiani was a member of the Argentina world cup squad in 1986, but he only managed two minutes of play in the entire tournament, he came on in the 88th minute of the World Cup Final against West Germany. This two minutes of football equalled the world record for the shortest World Cup career set by Tunisia's Khemais Labidi in 1978.
★ In the 2006 World Cup Leandro Cufré was given a red card and sent off after the end of the Quarter Final game with Germany for his part in the brawl after the match, even though he was a substitute and had not participated in the game itself. It is the only occasion of a player being sent off in a FIFA World Cup match after the final whistle. Four years earlier, in the 2002 World Cup Claudio Caniggia was sent off for swearing at a match official from the substitute bench.
See also
★ ''Vamos vamos Argentina''
★ Argentina national under-20 football team
★ Argentina and Brazil football rivalry
★ Argentina and England football rivalry
Footnotes
1. BBC goal of the tournament
2. Although Canada and the United States played two internationals in 1885 and 1889, neither match is considered official; Canada did not play an official international until 1904 and the USA did not play one until 1916.
External links
★ Official website, at the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino's website
★ RSSSF archive of results 1901-2002
★ RSSSF archive of results 1999-
★ RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
★ RSSSF archive of coaches 1901-90
★ Russian company and Argentine national team:common features
★ youtube - Argentine Football 1930-present
Titles
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