Argentina, along par with Brazil is the main force in South American football. Their most famous football players include Diego Armando Maradona and Mario Kempes. Maradona led Argentina to their second world cup triumph in 1986; his football was simply breathtaking through out his career playing the game. Argentina has also won the South American championships an incredible 15 times. Their world cup final victory of 1978 proved to be second time lucky, after losing the 1930 final 4-2 to Uruguay, they won the 1978 final on home territory as they demolished Holland 3-1 in the final. Eight years later, Diego Maradona almost single handily carried Argentina to world cup victory in the 1986 finals as they defeated West Germany 3-2. Argentina was unfortunate in the finals of 1990 as they lost the final to West Germany, 1-0, over a highly dubious penalty.
Argentina in fact is the second oldest football nation after Britain and was introduced to the game by the English in 1865. In the year 1901, Argentina played in the first international match to be held outside of Great Britain. It was a tie against Uruguay, who in the future was to become their arch rivals. Argentina’s most successful domestic club is considered by many to be, River Plate. During the year 1986, River Plate won the Argentinean league, the Inter American Cup, the Copa Libertadores and the World Club cup.
Without doubt, Uruguay is Argentina’s dearest rivals. The two South American teams have faced each other 190 times, making this match the most played international tie in the globe. Their top goal scorer of all time, Gabriel Batistuta, was regarded by many as the greatest forward in the world during the 1990’s.