Argentina: a Soccer Power with Two World Cup Championships
Two Championships in Four World Cup Finals
Argentina is considered to be a contender in the 2010 World Cup Soccer Tournament coached by former super star Diego Maradona and featuring Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. Argentina has a rich soccer history at the World Cup. In 1930 Argentina lost in the finals of the first World Cup. Argentina would not reach the finals until 1978 when they won their first Cup. Argentina would win their next cup in 1986. The next tournament in 1990 Argentina would fall in the finals.
1930 World Cup
Argentina was in group one in the 1930 World Cup. Argentina defeated France 1-0 in their first World Cup match. Next Argentina doubled up Mexico 6-3. In their final match of group play, Argentina defeated Chile 3-1. In the semi-finals Argentina routed the United States 6-1. In the finals host Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2. Guillermo Stabile led Argentina scoring 8 goals.
1978 World Cup
Argentina hosted the World Cup in 1978. Argentina was in group one. Argentina opened group play defeating Hungary 2-1. Next Argentina defeated France 2-1. Argentina would fall to Italy in their last group play game 1-0. In the second round Argentina was in Group B. Argentina shut out Poland 2-0 in their first group B match. Next Argentina would tie Brazil 0-0. Argentina closed out group B play by walloping Peru 6-0. In the Finals Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3-1 to win their first World Cup. Argentina was led by Mario Kempes who scored 6 goals and Leopoldo Luque who scored 4 goals as they reached the finals for the first time in 48 years.
1986 World Cup
In the 1986 World Cup played in Mexico Argentina was in group A. In group play Argentina defeated the Korea Republic 3-1, tied Italy 1-1, and shut out Bulgaria 2-0. In the round of 16 Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0. In the Quarter-finals Argentina defeated England 2-1. In the semi-finals Argentina shut out Belgium 2-0. In the finals Argentina defeated Germany 3-2 to win their second World Cup. Diego Maradona led Argentina scoring 5 goals in the tournament.
1990 World Cup
In 1990 the World Cup was played in Italy. Argentina was in group B. The defending World Cup Champs were upset in group play by Cameroon 1-0. Argentina would bounce back, blanking the Soviet Union 2-0. Argentina and Romania would play to a 1-1 draw. With a 1-1-1 record Argentina advanced to the Round of 16 where they defeated Brazil 1-0. In the quarter-finals Argentina defeated Ireland 1-0. Argentina would defeat Italy on penalty shots after the teams were tied at one. Argentina would fall to Germany 1-0 in the finals. Argentina has not been back to the finals since.
Sources:
FIFA.com 1930 World Cup for Results
FIFA.com 1930 World Cup for Stats
FIFA.com 1978 World Cup for Results
FIFA.com 1978 World Cup for Stats
FIFA.com 1986 World Cup for Results
Published by Mike Spain
I am the skiing channel manager at Helium. I am a contributing writer for Rockstar Weekly. I am an entertainment columnist and writer for DC Metro Theater Arts, where I cover concerts and theater production... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentGreat review on this MIke. Love all of your sources too.
Wow, this sounds like THE team to beat Mike. Great reporting. Go U S A.
I was in Argentina during the World Cup games in 1990, and I have never seen anything like it. During the game with Germany, Buenos Aires (about the size of NYC) was dead, with everyone glued to tv sets. I walked down the middle of the street that is BA's Broadway - and there were no cars in either direction. I have to wish them the best this time.