This is a guide to the argentine teams, their history and their performances in the various world cup football tournaments from the 1930s. This is all compiled from the AFA site.
Uruguay 1930
The Team
With a team of amateur players, Argentina got into the final and was beaten to the second place. As part of Group 1, it overcame France with a 1-0 win, obtained a 6-3 win against Mexico and a 3-1 against Chile. In the final match, it lost the winning streak against Uruguay. The match ended 4-2 for the local team, which recovered from a 2-1 down in the second half. Before the final match against the local team, midfielder Luis Monti and his family were anonimously threatened. In spite of this, he was part of the line-up but did not reach the high standard play he had showed on previous ocassions.
FINAL
Uruguay 4 Argentina 2. Goals: Dorado, Cea, Iriarte and Castro (Uruguay), Peucelle and Stábile (Argentina
There is an interesting story regarding the final game of the world cup in 1930. Each team had their own balls and wanted to play with their ball. Hence, it was decided that the first half would be played with the argentine ball and the second half with the Uruguan ball. Argentina led 2-1 at halftime but with the change in the ball changed their luck as well.. Urugauy won 4-2 at the end.
Italy 1934
A few minutes before travelling to Italy, national team members sent a message to their supporters . The players wrote a note in which thy promised to make their best efforts so that they could “return the support and trust of their fans”. In spite of this, their performance in the competition was fairly disappointing. Argentina only played one game and after a 3-1 defeat against Sweden, it was left redundant. Bellis and Galateo scored for the national team. The sky blue and white team was placed 9th in the general scoreboard.
France 1938
The Argentine national team did not take part in this competition.
Argentine authorities considered that our country met the necessary requirements to host a World Cup. As the country was not chosen to host the competition, the Argentine Football Association proposed that the national team did not play in the qualifying rounds. FIFA rejected this proposal and therefore the team withdrew from the competition. When this was publicly announced, a crowd of angry supporters attempted to take over AFA's premises, but the police managed to stop them
Full Version: History of Argentina in the World Cup
Brazil 1950
The Argentine national team did not take part in this competition.
The standing government claimed that the decision was due to a disagreement with the Brazilian Sport Confederation, which had not allowed one of its teams to play in a friendly match against an Argentine team in Chile. However, a few years later, the former football leader Valentín Suárez said that this was not true. Suárez, who presided the AFA from 1949 to 1953, asserted that (Juan Domingo) Perón had decided to withdraw the team from the World, since he could not fully guarantee that the national team would obtain the World Cup in Brazil. The Peronist party regarded sport as a tool that could move people's feelings and thus considered it a matter of State. Brazil 1940 World Cup has gone down in history for Uruguay's outstanding performance in the final match. The Uruguayan team, popularly known as charruas, clanch the trophy before a crowd of 200,000 spectators who were confident the local team was going to win. On July 16 Brazil only needed a draw. So, after Friaca opened the score, placing the green and yellow team ahead of their rival, nobody could even think of the idea that the trimph would be celebrated in Uruguayan lands. But the sky-blue's conviction and the passion of its leading player, Obdulio Varela, was enough to change history. Schiaffino and Ghi-ggia's goals summarized an unforgettable victory which plunged the fervent Brazilian crowd into a mourning silence
Switzerland 1954
The Argentine national team did not take part in this competition.
Argentina refused to play matches with European countries. However, it sent Guillermo Stabile to assess the level of the competition. When he returned to the country, the former goalscorer stated that the Argentine team would have produced an outstanding performance in the tournament. West Germany was crowned with the World Cup after a 3-2 win over Hungary. This result was certainly unfair since the Hungarian team had put a better performance throughout the tournament as well as in the decisive match. After a 2-2 tie in an even first half of the game, the field of play seemed to bend towards Germany's goal area, which in the second half of the game received three shootings in the goal posts, several savings in the goal line while some kicks were saved by the goalkeeper, Turck. However, Helmuth Rahn, in a strike with a perfect counterattack, scored the defining goal a few minutes before the end of the match. In this way, Germany won its first Jules Rimet trophy, while Hungary was left with a bitter taste of a football frustration which they still remember today. Since that July 4, the Hungarian squad is looked back on as the moral champions of 1954.
The Argentine national team did not take part in this competition.
The standing government claimed that the decision was due to a disagreement with the Brazilian Sport Confederation, which had not allowed one of its teams to play in a friendly match against an Argentine team in Chile. However, a few years later, the former football leader Valentín Suárez said that this was not true. Suárez, who presided the AFA from 1949 to 1953, asserted that (Juan Domingo) Perón had decided to withdraw the team from the World, since he could not fully guarantee that the national team would obtain the World Cup in Brazil. The Peronist party regarded sport as a tool that could move people's feelings and thus considered it a matter of State. Brazil 1940 World Cup has gone down in history for Uruguay's outstanding performance in the final match. The Uruguayan team, popularly known as charruas, clanch the trophy before a crowd of 200,000 spectators who were confident the local team was going to win. On July 16 Brazil only needed a draw. So, after Friaca opened the score, placing the green and yellow team ahead of their rival, nobody could even think of the idea that the trimph would be celebrated in Uruguayan lands. But the sky-blue's conviction and the passion of its leading player, Obdulio Varela, was enough to change history. Schiaffino and Ghi-ggia's goals summarized an unforgettable victory which plunged the fervent Brazilian crowd into a mourning silence
Switzerland 1954
The Argentine national team did not take part in this competition.
Argentina refused to play matches with European countries. However, it sent Guillermo Stabile to assess the level of the competition. When he returned to the country, the former goalscorer stated that the Argentine team would have produced an outstanding performance in the tournament. West Germany was crowned with the World Cup after a 3-2 win over Hungary. This result was certainly unfair since the Hungarian team had put a better performance throughout the tournament as well as in the decisive match. After a 2-2 tie in an even first half of the game, the field of play seemed to bend towards Germany's goal area, which in the second half of the game received three shootings in the goal posts, several savings in the goal line while some kicks were saved by the goalkeeper, Turck. However, Helmuth Rahn, in a strike with a perfect counterattack, scored the defining goal a few minutes before the end of the match. In this way, Germany won its first Jules Rimet trophy, while Hungary was left with a bitter taste of a football frustration which they still remember today. Since that July 4, the Hungarian squad is looked back on as the moral champions of 1954.
Sweden 1958
The Argentine team took part again in a World Cup after 24 years of absence. The national team was not able to pass through the first round and was also defeated in a historic 6-1 score against Czechoslovakia. This disappointing performance generated a phrase which recalls the 1958 World Cup – “Sweden’s disaster”. When the Argentine squad arrived at the country after their defeat, they were insulted, criticized and projectiles were directed at them. As regards this ocassion, goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo recalls that people called him “traitor and country betrayer”. He also added that the plane which carried them back was forced to land in a farm in the town of Monte Grande, because they were afraid that people waiting for their arrival were going to kill them.
Chile 1962
Argentina put on a modest performance and did not go through the first phase. As part of group D, it overcame Bulgaria with a 1-0 win in Rancagua with a goal scored by Facundo, lost 3-1 against England (one goal scored by Sanfilippo) and earned a draw (0-0) against Hungary. With these results, Juan Carlos Lorenzo’s team flew back to Argentina with a bitter taste rather than the expected glory.
The Argentine team took part again in a World Cup after 24 years of absence. The national team was not able to pass through the first round and was also defeated in a historic 6-1 score against Czechoslovakia. This disappointing performance generated a phrase which recalls the 1958 World Cup – “Sweden’s disaster”. When the Argentine squad arrived at the country after their defeat, they were insulted, criticized and projectiles were directed at them. As regards this ocassion, goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo recalls that people called him “traitor and country betrayer”. He also added that the plane which carried them back was forced to land in a farm in the town of Monte Grande, because they were afraid that people waiting for their arrival were going to kill them.
Chile 1962
Argentina put on a modest performance and did not go through the first phase. As part of group D, it overcame Bulgaria with a 1-0 win in Rancagua with a goal scored by Facundo, lost 3-1 against England (one goal scored by Sanfilippo) and earned a draw (0-0) against Hungary. With these results, Juan Carlos Lorenzo’s team flew back to Argentina with a bitter taste rather than the expected glory.
England 1966
The 1966 World Cup is remembered for Rattin’s expulsion during the quarter-final match against England. At the 36th minute of the first half, the referee stated that the player, who was nicknamed “rat”, had to abandon the playing field due to his constant complaints which were delaying the game. After arguing with the referee for ten minutes, Boca Junior’s midfielder sat on the carpet which connected the Queen’s stand with the turf, crushed one of the corner flags and left the playing field while English fans shouted at him, “Animals, animals...”. The match ended with a home triumph only ten minutes before its end. “Instead of playing the game, they pretended to officiate as referees,” Bobby Charlton, one of the key players of the English team explained a few years later. However, he seemed to forget the fact that for the quarter final stages an English referee was “casually” appointed for the match between Germany and Argentina and a German referee was appointed for Argentina-England’s match. Uruguay lost 4-0 against the Germans. In this way, England and Germany faced each other in the final match and the hosts of the tournament were the winners of the title.
Mexico 1970
The Argentine team did not make up the preliminary rounds and was not able to take part in the World Cup organized by Mexico in 1970. Peru beat the national team on August 31, 1969 in Boca Junior's stadium after a 2-2 draw with two goals scored by Oswaldo Ramirez. Albrecht and Rendo scored for the Argentine team. On the qualifying rounds, Argentina only won a home match against Bolivia, lost two matches in La Paz and Lima, and tied the last match against the Peruvian team in Boca`s stadium.
The 1966 World Cup is remembered for Rattin’s expulsion during the quarter-final match against England. At the 36th minute of the first half, the referee stated that the player, who was nicknamed “rat”, had to abandon the playing field due to his constant complaints which were delaying the game. After arguing with the referee for ten minutes, Boca Junior’s midfielder sat on the carpet which connected the Queen’s stand with the turf, crushed one of the corner flags and left the playing field while English fans shouted at him, “Animals, animals...”. The match ended with a home triumph only ten minutes before its end. “Instead of playing the game, they pretended to officiate as referees,” Bobby Charlton, one of the key players of the English team explained a few years later. However, he seemed to forget the fact that for the quarter final stages an English referee was “casually” appointed for the match between Germany and Argentina and a German referee was appointed for Argentina-England’s match. Uruguay lost 4-0 against the Germans. In this way, England and Germany faced each other in the final match and the hosts of the tournament were the winners of the title.
Mexico 1970
The Argentine team did not make up the preliminary rounds and was not able to take part in the World Cup organized by Mexico in 1970. Peru beat the national team on August 31, 1969 in Boca Junior's stadium after a 2-2 draw with two goals scored by Oswaldo Ramirez. Albrecht and Rendo scored for the Argentine team. On the qualifying rounds, Argentina only won a home match against Bolivia, lost two matches in La Paz and Lima, and tied the last match against the Peruvian team in Boca`s stadium.
Germany 1974
It went through the first phase, but it did not achieve good results in the second one. They were beaten by the Netherlands 4-0, and by Brazil 2-1 and it only achieved a 1-1 draw with West Germany. Its technical coach was Vladislao Cap and Houseman, who was nicknamed Loco, was the team’s top scorer with three goals.
Argentina 78
After 48 years, Argentina’s dream of conquering the World Cup came true. With a squad full of individualities, it gathered all the necessary requirements to win the title: a good deal of luck – let’s consider Resenbrink’s shot in the goalpost in the final match-, personality to tackle with defeat in the first phase match against Italy, scoring capacity with the explosion of the “killer” Kempes, a clear tactical idea which begun in the substitution bench and an optimal physical training. All these factors were very important to overcome in the final match the efficient Dutch team, who was looking for revenge. Unfortunately, this sport achievement had a bittersweet taste due to the political situation our country was going through during those years of illegal repression. But the national team, who knew little or nothing about political manipulations, committed itself to play and wrote one of the most glorious pages in our football history.
It went through the first phase, but it did not achieve good results in the second one. They were beaten by the Netherlands 4-0, and by Brazil 2-1 and it only achieved a 1-1 draw with West Germany. Its technical coach was Vladislao Cap and Houseman, who was nicknamed Loco, was the team’s top scorer with three goals.
Argentina 78
After 48 years, Argentina’s dream of conquering the World Cup came true. With a squad full of individualities, it gathered all the necessary requirements to win the title: a good deal of luck – let’s consider Resenbrink’s shot in the goalpost in the final match-, personality to tackle with defeat in the first phase match against Italy, scoring capacity with the explosion of the “killer” Kempes, a clear tactical idea which begun in the substitution bench and an optimal physical training. All these factors were very important to overcome in the final match the efficient Dutch team, who was looking for revenge. Unfortunately, this sport achievement had a bittersweet taste due to the political situation our country was going through during those years of illegal repression. But the national team, who knew little or nothing about political manipulations, committed itself to play and wrote one of the most glorious pages in our football history.
Spain 1982
Argentina’s basic formation was the same used in the 1978 World Cup. Diego Maradona, Jorge Valdano and Ramón Díaz were added to the team. But four years had passed and Menotti’s team was not able to reach the level which allowed them to win the previous edition of the World Cup. The team could not arouse people’s enthusiasm, whose attention was divided between the football matches and the information coming from Malvinas, where eighteen-year-old boys were fighting for their lives.
Mexico 1986
The Argentine team arrived at Mexico City with the uncertainty of a team who had put up with too much onslaughts to be qualified. We should only mention the great effort made by Passarella which leaded to the team’s qualification just a few minutes before the end of the match against Peru to understand the feeling of insecurity surrounding Carlos Bilardo’s team. It was clear that the previous record of the team did not offer many guarantees. However, Diego Maradona’s masterful football ability and the consistency of the national team were enough reasons to justify the obtention of the title. In the final match against Germany, although Diego was very hard pressed, he could set up the accurate passing so that Burruchaga, hand in hand with goalkeeper Schumacher, scored the winning goal in the final match of the tournament. Since Mexico 1986, there has not been any player as outstanding as Diego in later editions of the World Cup
FINAL
Argentina 3 Germany 2. Goals: Brown, Valdano and Burruchaga (Argentina), Rummenigge and Völler (Germany).
ARGENTINA: Pumpido, Cuciuffo, Brown, Ruggeri and Olarticoechea; Giusti, Batista, Enrique, Burruchaga (2nd H: 45m Trobbiani), Maradona and Valdano. C: Carlos Salvador Bilardo.
Argentina’s basic formation was the same used in the 1978 World Cup. Diego Maradona, Jorge Valdano and Ramón Díaz were added to the team. But four years had passed and Menotti’s team was not able to reach the level which allowed them to win the previous edition of the World Cup. The team could not arouse people’s enthusiasm, whose attention was divided between the football matches and the information coming from Malvinas, where eighteen-year-old boys were fighting for their lives.
Mexico 1986
The Argentine team arrived at Mexico City with the uncertainty of a team who had put up with too much onslaughts to be qualified. We should only mention the great effort made by Passarella which leaded to the team’s qualification just a few minutes before the end of the match against Peru to understand the feeling of insecurity surrounding Carlos Bilardo’s team. It was clear that the previous record of the team did not offer many guarantees. However, Diego Maradona’s masterful football ability and the consistency of the national team were enough reasons to justify the obtention of the title. In the final match against Germany, although Diego was very hard pressed, he could set up the accurate passing so that Burruchaga, hand in hand with goalkeeper Schumacher, scored the winning goal in the final match of the tournament. Since Mexico 1986, there has not been any player as outstanding as Diego in later editions of the World Cup
FINAL
Argentina 3 Germany 2. Goals: Brown, Valdano and Burruchaga (Argentina), Rummenigge and Völler (Germany).
ARGENTINA: Pumpido, Cuciuffo, Brown, Ruggeri and Olarticoechea; Giusti, Batista, Enrique, Burruchaga (2nd H: 45m Trobbiani), Maradona and Valdano. C: Carlos Salvador Bilardo.
Italy 1990
The Argentine team did not show the effective game it had given in the last World Cup. However, thanks to goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea’s decisive appearances in the penalty shotouts against Yugoslavia and Italy, Carlos Bilardo’s team made it into the final round against Germany. The German and Argentine teams as well as Bilardo and Beckenbauer were face to face once again. However, the match progress was different to Mexico’s 1986 final. Here, the Argentine team was waiting for the penalty shotouts which had given them such good results during the course of the competition. But, five minutes before the end of the match, Codesal, the Mexican referee, awarded a doubtful penalty. Brehme, who had played the previous final, made a score which put an end to Maradona and his team’s illusion.
FINAL
Argentina 0 Germany FR 1. Goals Germany: Brehme (penalty)
ARGENTINA: Goycochea, Ruggeri (2nd H: 1m Monzón), Serrizuela, Simón, Lorenzo, Troglio, Sensini, Basualdo, Burruchaga (2nd H: 9m Calderón), Maradona and Dezotti. C: Carlos Salvador Bilardo
USA 1994
The Argentine team put on an encouraging performance in its two first matches against Greece and Nigeria. After the match against the Africans, Diego Maradona was summoned for doping control and proved positive for ephedrine consumption. When this news was announced, AFA decided to withdraw him from the tournament so that the sanction would be less severe. This caused a deep impact on the Argentine team who lost its two subsequent matches and was eliminated from the tournament. Diego was sanctioned by FIFA with a fifteen-month suspension.
The Argentine team did not show the effective game it had given in the last World Cup. However, thanks to goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea’s decisive appearances in the penalty shotouts against Yugoslavia and Italy, Carlos Bilardo’s team made it into the final round against Germany. The German and Argentine teams as well as Bilardo and Beckenbauer were face to face once again. However, the match progress was different to Mexico’s 1986 final. Here, the Argentine team was waiting for the penalty shotouts which had given them such good results during the course of the competition. But, five minutes before the end of the match, Codesal, the Mexican referee, awarded a doubtful penalty. Brehme, who had played the previous final, made a score which put an end to Maradona and his team’s illusion.
FINAL
Argentina 0 Germany FR 1. Goals Germany: Brehme (penalty)
ARGENTINA: Goycochea, Ruggeri (2nd H: 1m Monzón), Serrizuela, Simón, Lorenzo, Troglio, Sensini, Basualdo, Burruchaga (2nd H: 9m Calderón), Maradona and Dezotti. C: Carlos Salvador Bilardo
USA 1994
The Argentine team put on an encouraging performance in its two first matches against Greece and Nigeria. After the match against the Africans, Diego Maradona was summoned for doping control and proved positive for ephedrine consumption. When this news was announced, AFA decided to withdraw him from the tournament so that the sanction would be less severe. This caused a deep impact on the Argentine team who lost its two subsequent matches and was eliminated from the tournament. Diego was sanctioned by FIFA with a fifteen-month suspension.
France 1998
With a definitely European style, the Argentine team was not much praised by people. However, the first phase and qualifiers results made them look as one of the favourites for the trophy. In the quarter-final match against the Netherlands, a kind of anticipated final match took place. Inevitably, one of the teams would be eliminated. An awesome shot kicked by Bergkamp at the 45th minute of the second half, due to a negligence of the Argentine team, set the final score and Daniel Passarella’s team was forced to fly back to their country. This was the end of Passarella’s time, a period in which the national team could not enter into Argentine people’s souls.
Korea/Japan 2002
Featuring experienced players and having been classed as one of the favourites after their run of undefeated matches in the South American qualifiers, quite a lot of expectations had been placed on the National Team before the start of the Tournament. However, after their triumph in their opening game against Nigeria, the team coached by Marcelo Bielsa conceded a defeat (against England) and a draw (with Sweden) and were thus edged out of the World Cup in the first round. In this way, the National Team were placed in the 18th position (the worst position in their history) and in spite of displaying an offensive game, the squad did not come up to the expected results in the World Cup hosted in Korea Japan.
With a definitely European style, the Argentine team was not much praised by people. However, the first phase and qualifiers results made them look as one of the favourites for the trophy. In the quarter-final match against the Netherlands, a kind of anticipated final match took place. Inevitably, one of the teams would be eliminated. An awesome shot kicked by Bergkamp at the 45th minute of the second half, due to a negligence of the Argentine team, set the final score and Daniel Passarella’s team was forced to fly back to their country. This was the end of Passarella’s time, a period in which the national team could not enter into Argentine people’s souls.
Korea/Japan 2002
Featuring experienced players and having been classed as one of the favourites after their run of undefeated matches in the South American qualifiers, quite a lot of expectations had been placed on the National Team before the start of the Tournament. However, after their triumph in their opening game against Nigeria, the team coached by Marcelo Bielsa conceded a defeat (against England) and a draw (with Sweden) and were thus edged out of the World Cup in the first round. In this way, the National Team were placed in the 18th position (the worst position in their history) and in spite of displaying an offensive game, the squad did not come up to the expected results in the World Cup hosted in Korea Japan.
BTW, All these are from the AFA site, hence might be biased and might not present themselves in good english grammar. I will go on editing them and adding my own things from tomorrow.
QUOTE(sandesh @ Feb 14 2005, 12:23 AM)
BTW, All these are from the AFA site, hence might be biased and might not present themselves in good english grammar. I will go on editing them and adding my own things from tomorrow.
good stuff sandesh you seemed to give a good summary of our past
Nice info on Argentina's past and history.
Matthaus tips Argentina for World Cup glory
BERLIN –– West Germany's 1990 World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus claims Argentina are in a better position to lift this summer's World Cup than their South American rivals Brazil.
Bookmakers have installed record five-time winners Brazil as the pre-tournament favourites but Matthaus believes Argentina are the better bet.
"I don't think Brazil will win this World Cup. They may have the best players but I don't think they have the best team," Matthaus told AFP in an interview.
"I think Brazil have defensive problems to sort out and my tip to win the World Cup is Argentina."
Argentina failed to get past the group stage at the 2002 World Cup but have won two World Cups, with the last triumph coming in 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired them to glory with a 1-0 win over a West German side that included a young Matthaus.
A decade later 18-year-old Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi is tipped to be the inspiration but Matthaus, who will help decide the recipient of The Best Young Player Award after the finals, says the team is all that matters.
"The young stars of the future are well known with (Wayne) Rooney, Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Cesc) Fabregas all terrific players but the team is more important than one player," Matthaus added.
"It's no good a player having a great tournament but his team go home after four games."
The 44-year-old Matthaus, who won a record 150 caps for his country, believes there are three other teams, aside from Argentina and Brazil, capable of lifting the World Cup and picked the Netherlands as his dark horses.
"England and Italy are in with a shout but I am also impressed by the Netherlands," Matthaus declared.
"If Dutch coach Marco van Basten can create a togetherness within the team then they could go far as they have the technical players."
The Netherlands are paired with Argentina in Group C with Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro the outsiders to progress. Asked on who could be the surprise package at the finals Matthaus picked out his homeland Germany who open the tournament on June 9 against Costa Rica in Munich.
"
I hope Germany will be the surprise nation, I really do," Matthaus said. "Of course I want them to take the title but I have to be realistic.
"If they reach the semi-final it would be a surprise for me as there are a lot stronger nations at the moment."
Germany are grouped with Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland but are likely to face England or Sweden in the last sixteen and Matthaus believes it could be the end of the road. –– AFP
BERLIN –– West Germany's 1990 World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus claims Argentina are in a better position to lift this summer's World Cup than their South American rivals Brazil.
Bookmakers have installed record five-time winners Brazil as the pre-tournament favourites but Matthaus believes Argentina are the better bet.
"I don't think Brazil will win this World Cup. They may have the best players but I don't think they have the best team," Matthaus told AFP in an interview.
"I think Brazil have defensive problems to sort out and my tip to win the World Cup is Argentina."
Argentina failed to get past the group stage at the 2002 World Cup but have won two World Cups, with the last triumph coming in 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired them to glory with a 1-0 win over a West German side that included a young Matthaus.
A decade later 18-year-old Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi is tipped to be the inspiration but Matthaus, who will help decide the recipient of The Best Young Player Award after the finals, says the team is all that matters.
"The young stars of the future are well known with (Wayne) Rooney, Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Cesc) Fabregas all terrific players but the team is more important than one player," Matthaus added.
"It's no good a player having a great tournament but his team go home after four games."
The 44-year-old Matthaus, who won a record 150 caps for his country, believes there are three other teams, aside from Argentina and Brazil, capable of lifting the World Cup and picked the Netherlands as his dark horses.
"England and Italy are in with a shout but I am also impressed by the Netherlands," Matthaus declared.
"If Dutch coach Marco van Basten can create a togetherness within the team then they could go far as they have the technical players."
The Netherlands are paired with Argentina in Group C with Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro the outsiders to progress. Asked on who could be the surprise package at the finals Matthaus picked out his homeland Germany who open the tournament on June 9 against Costa Rica in Munich.
"
I hope Germany will be the surprise nation, I really do," Matthaus said. "Of course I want them to take the title but I have to be realistic.
"If they reach the semi-final it would be a surprise for me as there are a lot stronger nations at the moment."
Germany are grouped with Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland but are likely to face England or Sweden in the last sixteen and Matthaus believes it could be the end of the road. –– AFP
Germany 2006
With a balanced mix of experienced players and phenomenal young talents including Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez, Javier Saviola, Oscar Ustari, and Rodrigo Palacio, coach José Pekerman took the team to Germany, as usual being one of the favorites if Brasil were to lose. The team, however, did not consider Brasil the favorites and went about setting the world alight with a silky passing game centered around one of the world's best playmakers in Juan Román Riquelme, who was wearing the famous #10 jersey. Starting out with a close, but deserved 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, the team went on to deliver the performance of the tournament as they outpassed, outshot, outscored, and essentially outclassed a disappointing Serbia & Montenegro, delivering a highly entertaining 6-0 display of attacking football. Having achieved qualification into the knock-out round, Argentina and Holland played out a 0-0 draw before the South Americans took on famed rivals Mexico. In extra time of a nail-biting match, Maxi Rodríguez scored the golazo of the tournament, sending supporters' jaws to the floor as he blasted a shot controlled off his chest past a helpless Oswaldo Sánchez. Drawing hosts Germany in the quarter-finals, Argentina maintained a relatively comfortable 1-0 lead until late in the game, when after what proved to be the decisive substitution of Riquelme, Germany's on-fire striker Miroslav Klose equalised. In an even more nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out, Argentina fell victim to the random aspect of the game to bring a promising campaign to a bitter end.
With a balanced mix of experienced players and phenomenal young talents including Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez, Javier Saviola, Oscar Ustari, and Rodrigo Palacio, coach José Pekerman took the team to Germany, as usual being one of the favorites if Brasil were to lose. The team, however, did not consider Brasil the favorites and went about setting the world alight with a silky passing game centered around one of the world's best playmakers in Juan Román Riquelme, who was wearing the famous #10 jersey. Starting out with a close, but deserved 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, the team went on to deliver the performance of the tournament as they outpassed, outshot, outscored, and essentially outclassed a disappointing Serbia & Montenegro, delivering a highly entertaining 6-0 display of attacking football. Having achieved qualification into the knock-out round, Argentina and Holland played out a 0-0 draw before the South Americans took on famed rivals Mexico. In extra time of a nail-biting match, Maxi Rodríguez scored the golazo of the tournament, sending supporters' jaws to the floor as he blasted a shot controlled off his chest past a helpless Oswaldo Sánchez. Drawing hosts Germany in the quarter-finals, Argentina maintained a relatively comfortable 1-0 lead until late in the game, when after what proved to be the decisive substitution of Riquelme, Germany's on-fire striker Miroslav Klose equalised. In an even more nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out, Argentina fell victim to the random aspect of the game to bring a promising campaign to a bitter end.
I would just like to share this picture of the beautiful team goal against Serbia & Montenegro.
I wasnt born when Argentina won its first WC.. i vaguely remember the 86 win.. i was only 6 at that time 
i however remember cleary the 90 WC loss in the finals.. i ws disappointed.. was so disappointed in 94.. happy to knock out England in 98.. 2002 was forgetful.. 2006 was so promising but fizzled out in one game unluckily.. hope S.Africa will be the best ever in recent memory.
i however remember cleary the 90 WC loss in the finals.. i ws disappointed.. was so disappointed in 94.. happy to knock out England in 98.. 2002 was forgetful.. 2006 was so promising but fizzled out in one game unluckily.. hope S.Africa will be the best ever in recent memory.
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