Argentina national football team

Argentina

Nickname(s)	Albicelestes (White and Sky blue)
Association	Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (Argentine Football Association)
Confederation	CONMEBOL (South America)
Head coach	Diego Maradona
Captain	Javier Mascherano
Most caps	Javier Zanetti (128)
Top scorer	Gabriel Batistuta (56)
Home stadium	El Monumental
FIFA code	ARG
FIFA ranking	6
Highest FIFA ranking	1 (March 2007, October 2007-June 2008)
Lowest FIFA ranking	24 (August 1996)
Elo ranking	6
Highest Elo ranking	1 (most recently in July 2007, 34 times in total)
Lowest Elo ranking	28 (June 1990)
Home colours Away colours
First international
Uruguay 2 - 3 Argentina  (Montevideo, Uruguay; 16 May 1901)
Biggest win
Argentina 12 - 0 Ecuador  (Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942)
Biggest defeat
Czechoslovakia 6 - 1 Argentina  (Helsingborg, Sweden; 15 June 1958)  Uruguay 5 - 0 Argentina  (Guayaquil, Ecuador; 16 December 1959)  Argentina 0 - 5  Colombia (Buenos Aires, Argentina; 5 September 1993)
World Cup
Appearances	14 (First in 1930)
Best result	Winners, 1978 and 1986
Copa América
Appearances	38 (First in 1916)
Best result	Winners, 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993
Confederations Cup
Appearances	3 (First in 1992)
Best result	Winners, 1992

The Argentina national football team is the national football team of Argentina and is controlled by the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA). Argentina has the world record for most international titles won by any national team.^[1]

Argentina is one of the most successful national football teams in the world, and is currently seventh in the FIFA world rankings.^[2] The team has twice won the FIFA World Cup, in 1978 and 1986. Argentina has won the Copa América 14 times, a record shared with Uruguay, won the Confederations Cup in 1992 and the Olympic Football Tournament in 2004 and 2008.

Argentina and France are the only national teams which have won the three most important men's titles organized by FIFA: the World Cup, the Confederations Cup, and the Olympic tournament. They have both also won their respective continental championship (Copa América for Argentina, and UEFA European Football Championship for France).^[3][4]. However, it must be added that Argentina has won the Youth World Cup a record 6 times while France has never won that trophy, making Argentina the only country to have won all tournaments organized by FIFA to which it is eligible.

Contents 1 History 1.1 World Cup 2006 1.2 Copa América 2007 2 Competitive record 2.1 Pan American Games record 2.2 Olympics record 3 Honours 3.1 Senior team 3.2 Olympic team 4 Kit Evolution 5 Managers 6 Current team status 6.1 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Standings 6.2 Last and next games 7 Players 7.1 Current Squad 7.2 Recent call ups 7.3 Previous squads 7.4 Most capped players 7.5 Top goalscorers 7.6 Notable players 8 Facts 9 See also 10 Footnotes 11 External links

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's World Cup winning managers are César Luis Menotti in 1978, and Carlos Bilardo in 1986.

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. The team also won the FIFA Confederations Cup and the Kirin Cup, both in 1992, and an Argentine team (with only three players of over 23 years of age included in the squad) won the Olympics football tournaments in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.^[5]

Argentina also won six of the fourteen football competitions at the Pan American Games, winning in 1951, 1955, 1959, 1971, 1995 and 2003.

In March 2007, Argentina reached the top of the FIFA World Rankings for the first time.^[6]

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 qualified for the knockout stages with wins over Ivory Coast (2-1) and Serbia and Montenegro (6-0), and a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands.

In the round of sixteen, Argentina defeated Mexico 2-1 in extra-time, the winning goal by Maxi Rodríguez winning an online poll organised by FIFA, as the best goal of the World Cup [1]. In the quarter final, they lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout against hosts Germany after a 1-1 draw. 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 won all three games in the group stage, beating United States, Colombia and Paraguay. After convincing victories over Peru and Mexico in the quarter final and semi final respectively, they were favourites to beat Brazil in the final, but were defeated 0-3.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup Record Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA 1930 Second Place 2 5 4 0 1 18 9 1934 Round 1 9 1 0 0 1 2 3 1938 Withdrew - - - - - - - 1950 Withdrew - - - - - - - 1954 Withdrew - - - - - - - 1958 Round 1 13 3 1 0 2 5 10 1962 Round 1 10 3 1 1 1 2 3 1966 Quarter-finals 5 3 2 1 1 4 2 1970 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - - 1974 Round 2 8 6 1 2 3 9 12 1978 Champions 1 7 5 1 1 15 4 1982 Round 2 12 5 2 0 3 8 7 1986 Champions 1 7 6 1 0 14 5 1990 Second Place 2 7 2 3 2 5 4 1994 Round 2 9 4 2 0 2 8 6 1998 Quarter-finals 6 5 3 1 1 10 4 2002 Round 1 18 3 1 1 1 2 2 2006 Quarter-finals 6 5 3 2 0 11 3 Total 14/18 2 Titles 65 33 13 19 113 74

FIFA Confederations Cup Year Round GP W D* L GS GA 1992 Champions 2 2 0 0 7 1 1995 Second Place 3 1 1 1 5 3 1997 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - 1999 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - 2001 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - 2003 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - 2005 Second Place 5 2 2 1 10 10 2009 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - Total 1 Title 10 5 3 2 22 14 *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. Olympic medal record Men's football[7] Silver 1928 Amsterdam Team Silver 1996 Atlanta Team Gold 2004 Athens Team Gold 2008 Beijing Team

Copa América
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
• 2007 - Round 1

Olympics record

Olympics Record Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA 1896 No football tournament - - - - - - - 1900-1920 Did Not Participate - - - - - - - 1924 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - - 1928 Runners-up 2 5 3 1 1 24 7 1932 No football tournament - - - - - - - 1936-1956 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - - 1960 Round 1 - 3 2 0 1 6 4 1964 Round 1 - 2 0 1 1 3 4 1968-1984 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - - 1988 Quarter-finals - 4 1 1 2 4 5 1992 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - - 1996 Runners-up 2 6 3 2 1 13 6 2000 Did Not Qualify - - - - - - - 2004 Champions 1 6 6 0 0 17 0 2008 Champions 1 6 6 0 0 11 2 Total 7/24 2 Titles 32 21 5 6 78 28 Honours Senior team FIFA World Cup Winner (2): 1978, 1986 Runner-up (2): 1930, 1990 FIFA Confederations Cup Winner (1): 1992 Runner-up (2): 1995, 2005 Copa America Winner (14): 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946 (extra edition), 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993. Runner-up (12): 1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1959 (extra edition), 1967, 2004, 2007. Artemio Franchi Trophy Winner (1): 1993 Olympic team See also: Argentina Olympic Team A selection with limited team selection (only 3 players over 23 years could be included in the squad), won the following honours. The matches in these tournaments are generally not included in the statistics of the national team. Gold medal (2): 2004, 2008 Silver medal (2): 1928, 1996 Kit Evolution 1901-1910 1911-present Managers 1. 1924-1925 Angel Vázquez 2. 1927-1928 José Lago Millán 3. 1928-1929 Francisco Olazar 4. 1929-1930 Olazar-Tramutola 5. 1934-1934 Felipe Pascucci 6. 1934-1937 Manuel Seoane 7. 1937-1939 Ángel Fernández Roca 8. 1939-1960 Guillermo Stábile 9. 1960-1961 Victorio Spinetto 10. 1961-1961 José D'Amico 11. 1962-1963 Juan Carlos Lorenzo 12. 1963-1963 Alejandro Galán 13. 1963-1964 Horacio Amable Torres 14. 1964-1968 José María Minella 15. 1968-1968 Renato Cesarini 16. 1968-1969 Humberto Dionisio Maschio 17. 1969-1969 Adolfo Pedernera 18. 1969-1972 Juan José Pizzuti 19. 1972-1974 Enrique Omar Sívori 20. 1974-1974 Vladislao Cap 21. 1974-1983 César Luis Menotti 22. 1983-1990 Carlos Bilardo 23. 1990-1994 Alfio Basile 24. 1994-1998 Daniel Passarella 25. 1998-2004 Marcelo Bielsa 26. 2004-2006 José Pekerman 27. 2006-2008 Alfio Basile 28. 2008 - Diego Maradona Current team status Argentina is currently participating in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Standings Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Paraguay 10 7 2 1 18 6 +12 23  Brazil 10 4 5 1 15 4 +11 17  Argentina 10 4 4 2 13 7 +6 16  Chile 10 5 1 4 14 13 +1 16  Uruguay 10 3 4 3 19 10 +9 13  Ecuador 10 3 3 4 12 17 −5 12  Colombia 10 2 5 3 4 8 −4 11  Venezuela 10 3 1 6 12 18 −6 10  Bolivia 10 2 3 5 13 22 −9 9  Peru 10 1 4 5 5 20 −15 7   Argentina  – 3–0 R15 2–0 R13 1–1 1–1 R17 2–1 R11 Bolivia  R12 – R17 0–2 0–0 R16 4–2 3–0 2–2 R13 Brazil  0–0 0–0 – R16 0–0 5–0 R14 R12 2–1 R18 Chile  1–0 R14 0–3 – 4–0 R18 0–3 2–0 R12 R15 Colombia  2–1 R11 0–0 R17 – R15 0–1 R14 0–1 1–0 Ecuador  R14 3–1 R11 1–0 0–0 – R12 5–1 R17 0–1 Paraguay  R16 R15 2–0 R13 R18 5–1 – 1–0 1–0 2–0 Peru  1–1 R18 1–1 R11 1–1 R13 0–0 – R15 1–0 Uruguay  R18 5–0 R13 2–2 R16 0–0 R11 6–0 – 1–1 Venezuela  0–2 5–3 0–4 2–3 R12 3–1 R17 R16 R14 – Last and next games Last game:  Argentina 1 - 0 Scotland  - Scotland, Scotland - November 19, 2008 - F. Next game:  France - Paris, France - February 7, 2009 - F. KEY: F = Friendly match; WCQ2010 = 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Players Current Squad The following players were named for a Friendly match against Scotland on November 19 2008. Caps and goals as of November 19, 2008. No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club 1 GK Juan Pablo Carrizo May 6, 1984 (1984-05-06) (age 25) 7 0 Lazio 12 GK Sergio Romero February 22, 1987 (1987-02-22) (age 22) 0 0 AZ Alkmaar 8 DF Javier Zanetti August 10, 1973 (1973-08-10) (age 36) 127 5 Internazionale 17 DF Nicolas Burdisso April 12, 1981 (1981-04-12) (age 28) 25 2 Internazionale 2 DF Martín Demichelis December 20, 1980 (1980-12-20) (age 28) 16 1 Bayern Munich 13 DF Daniel Díaz March 13, 1979 (1979-03-13) (age 30) 10 0 Getafe 6 DF Gabriel Heinze March 19, 1978 (1978-03-19) (age 31) 47 2 Real Madrid 4 DF Fabricio Coloccini January 22, 1982 (1982-01-22) (age 27) 29 1 Newcastle United 3 DF Emiliano Papa April 19, 1982 (1982-04-19) (age 27) 1 0 Vélez Sársfield 15 DF Cristian Villagra December 27, 1985 (1985-12-27) (age 23) 0 0 River Plate 14 MF Javier Mascherano June 8, 1984 (1984-06-08) (age 25) 46 2 Liverpool 18 MF Maxi Rodríguez January 2, 1981 (1981-01-02) (age 28) 25 8 Atlético Madrid 5 MF Fernando Gago April 10, 1986 (1986-04-10) (age 23) 20 0 Real Madrid 23 MF Jonas Gutierrez July 5, 1983 (1983-07-05) (age 26) 7 0 Newcastle United 22 MF Lucho González January 19, 1981 (1981-01-19) (age 28) 42 5 Porto 19 MF José Ernesto Sosa June 19, 1985 (1985-06-19) (age 24) 5 0 Bayern Munich 10 MF Daniel Montenegro March 28, 1979 (1979-03-28) (age 30) 1 0 Independiente 16 FW Sergio Agüero June 2, 1988 (1988-06-02) (age 21) 15 5 Atlético Madrid 9 FW Germán Denis September 10, 1981 (1981-09-10) (age 28) 5 0 Napoli 7 FW Ezequiel Lavezzi May 3, 1985 (1985-05-03) (age 24) 3 0 Napoli 20 FW Lisandro López March 2, 1983 (1983-03-02) (age 26) 6 0 Porto 11 FW Carlos Tévez February 5, 1984 (1984-02-05) (age 25) 44 7 Manchester United Recent call ups The following players have been called up for the team after June 2008. Name DOB (Age) Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up Goalkeepers Roberto Abbondanzieri August 19, 1972 (1972-08-19) (age 37) Getafe 44 (0) vs  Paraguay, September 6, 2008 (WCQ) Agustín Orión June 26, 1981 (1981-06-26) (age 28) San Lorenzo 0 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Defenders Jonathan Bottinelli September 14, 1984 (1984-09-14) (age 25) Sampdoria 1 (0) vs  Brazil, 18 June 2008 (WCQ) Gabriel Milito September 7, 1980 (1980-09-07) (age 29) Barcelona 32 (1) vs  Brazil, 18 June 2008 (WCQ) Fabián Monzón April 13, 1987 (1987-04-13) (age 22) Real Betis 0 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Gonzalo Rodriguez April 10, 1984 (1984-04-10) (age 25) Villarreal 6 (1) vs  Belarus, 20 August 2008 (Friendly) Pablo Zabaleta January 16, 1985 (1985-01-16) (age 24) Manchester City 7 (1) vs  Peru, 10 September 2008 (WCQ) Midfielders Ever Banega June 29, 1988 (1988-06-29) (age 21) Atlético Madrid 2 (0) vs  United States, 8 June 2008 (Friendly) Pablo Barrientos January 17, 1985 (1985-01-17) (age 24) San Lorenzo 0 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Sebastian Battaglia November 8, 1980 (1980-11-08) (age 28) Boca Juniors 6 (0) vs  Peru, 10 September 2008 (WCQ) Esteban Cambiasso August 18, 1980 (1980-08-18) (age 29) Internazionale 43 (3) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Angel Di Maria February 14, 1988 (1988-02-14) (age 21) Benfica 1 (0) vs  Uruguay, 11 October 2008 (WCQ) Mariano Gonzalez May 5, 1981 (1981-05-05) (age 28) Porto 9 (0) vs  Belarus, 20 August 2008 (Friendly) Cristian Raul Ledesma November 29, 1978 (1978-11-29) (age 30) San Lorenzo 5 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Pablo Ledesma February 4, 1984 (1984-02-04) (age 25) Catania 2 (0) vs  Belarus, 20 August 2008 (Friendly) Juan Roman Riquelme June 24, 1978 (1978-06-24) (age 31) Boca Juniors 50 (17) vs  Uruguay, 11 October 2008 (WCQ) Leandro Somoza January 25, 1981 (1981-01-25) (age 28) Velez Sarsfield 2 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Juan Sebastian Veron March 9, 1975 (1975-03-09) (age 34) Estudiantes 62 (9) vs  Ecuador, 15 June 2008 (WCQ) Strikers Gonzalo Bergessio July 20, 1984 (1984-07-20) (age 25) San Lorenzo 1 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Fernando Cavenaghi September 21, 1983 (1983-09-21) (age 26) Bordeaux 4 (0) vs  Belarus, 20 August 2008 (Friendly) Julio Ricardo Cruz October 10, 1974 (1974-10-10) (age 35) Internazionale 22 (3) vs  Brazil, 18 June 2008 (WCQ). Lionel Messi June 24, 1987 (1987-06-24) (age 22) Barcelona 33 (10) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Diego Milito June 12, 1979 (1979-06-12) (age 30) Genoa 16 (4) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) Rodrigo Palacio February 5, 1982 (1982-02-05) (age 27) Boca Juniors 8 (1) vs  Brazil, 18 June 2008 (WCQ) José Sand July 17, 1980 (1980-07-17) (age 29) Lanús 1 (0) vs  Chile, 15 October 2008 (WCQ) 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 1994 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1990 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1986 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1982 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1978 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1974 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1966 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1962 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1958 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1934 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina 1930 FIFA World Cup squads - Argentina Most capped players As of November 19, 2008, the ten players with the most caps for Argentina are: # Name Career Caps Goals 1. Javier Zanetti 1994 - present 128 5 2. Roberto Ayala 1994 - 2007 115 7 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 76 12 9. Américo Gallego 1975 - 1982 73 3 10. Daniel Passarella 1976 - 1986 70 22 Top goalscorers As of August 27, 2008, 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 - 2007 36 65 3. Diego Maradona 1977 - 1994 34 91 4. Luis Artime 1961 - 1967 24 25 5. Leopoldo Luque 1975 - 1981 22 45 5. Daniel Passarella 1976 - 1986 22 70 7. José Sanfilippo 1956 - 1962 21 29 7. Herminio Masantonio 1935 - 1942 21 19 9. Mario Kempes 1973 - 1982 20 43 10. Norberto Méndez 1945 - 1956 19 31 10. José Manuel Moreno 1936 - 1950 19 34 10. René Pontoni 1942 - 1947 19 19 Notable players To appear in this section, players should have played 50 games or scored at least 10 goals for Argentina, or been part of a World Cup or Copa América winning team. Pablo Aimar (1997-) Antonio Angelillo (also played for Italy) (1957) Osvaldo Ardiles (1974-1982) Roberto Ayala (1995-2007) Abel Balbo (1988-1998) Gabriel Batistuta (1991-2003) Claudio Borghi (1983-1986) Miguel Ángel Brindisi (1969-1974) José Luis Brown (1983-1990) Jorge Burruchaga (1983-1990) Pedro Calomino (1917-1921) Claudio Caniggia (1988-2002) Roberto Cherro (1926-1937) Omar Oreste Corbatta (1956-1962) Hernán Crespo (1995-) Alfredo Di Stéfano (also played for Colombia and Spain) (1947) Ramón Díaz (1979-1982) Rogelio Domínguez (1951-1963) Ubaldo Fillol (1972-1985) Rodolfo Fischer (1967-1972) Marcelo Gallardo (1995-2002) Américo Gallego (1975-1982) Ricardo Giusti (1983-1990) Kily González (1995-2005) Sergio Goycochea (1989-1995) Mario Kempes (1974-1982) Ángel Labruna (1942-1958) Claudio López (1995-2004) Félix Loustau (1945-1962) Leopoldo Luque (1975-1981) Diego Armando Maradona (1977-1994) Rinaldo Martino (1942-1948) Herminio Masantonio (1935-1942) José Manuel Moreno (1940-1947) Luis Monti (also played for Italy) (1924-1931) Julio Olarticoechea (1982-1990) Jorge Olguín (1976-1982) Ermindo Onega (1960-1967) Ariel Ortega (1993-2004) Daniel Passarella (1974-1986) Adolfo Pedernera (1940-1946) Carlos Peucelle (1928-1940) Nery Pumpido (1983-1990) Antonio Rattín (1959-1966) Fernando Redondo (1991-1996) Juan Román Riquelme (1997-) Oscar Ruggeri (1982-1994) Walter Samuel (1999-2006) José Sanfilippo (1957-1962) Javier Saviola (2003-) Roberto Néstor Sensini (1987-2003) Diego Simeone (1991-2003) Omar Sivori (also played for Italy) (1956-1957) Juan Pablo Sorín (1995-2006) Guillermo Stábile (1924-1934) Domingo Tarasconi (1922-1929) Marcelo Trobbiani (1974-1986) Jorge Valdano (1980-1990) Juan Sebastián Verón (1995-) Ricardo Villa (1974-1982) Javier Zanetti (1994-) Facts 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 the United Kingdom.[8] 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 national under-23 football team Argentina and Brazil football rivalry Argentina and England football rivalry Footnotes ↑ Asociación del Fútbol Argentino ↑ FIFA.com - The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking ↑ FIFA.com - Argentina on FIFA.com ↑ FIFA.com - Tournaments ↑ BBC SPORT | Olympics 2004 | Football | Football gold for Argentina ↑ FIFA.com - Argentina first for first time ↑ After 1988, the tournament has been restricted to squads with no more than 3 players over the age of 23, and these matches are not regarded as part of the national team's record, nor are caps awarded. ↑ 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 Football in Argentina Asociación del Fútbol Argentino Argentina national football team League system Seasons Amateur era Primera División Professional era Topscorers Primera B Nacional Primera B Metropolitana 3rd Level Torneo Argentino A Primera C Metropolitana 4th Level Torneo Argentino B Primera D Metropolitana 5th Level Torneo Argentino C Derbies Clubs Stadiums Footballers Managers Internationals International football FIFA · World Cup · Confederations Cup · U-20 World Cup · U-17 World Cup Olympics · Asian Games · All-Africa Games · Pan American Games · Island Games · Minor Tournaments World Rankings · Player of the Year · Teams · Competitions · Organizations · Codes Asia AFC - Asian Cup Africa CAF - Africa Cup of Nations North America CONCACAF - Gold Cup South America CONMEBOL - Copa América Oceania OFC - Nations Cup Europe UEFA - European Championship Non-FIFA NF-Board - Viva World Cup National football teams of South America (CONMEBOL) Argentina | Bolivia | Brazil | Chile | Colombia | Ecuador | Paraguay | Peru | Uruguay | Venezuela | 1930 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions: Uruguay Runners-up: Argentina Eliminated in semi-finals: United States • Yugoslavia Eliminated in group stage: Belgium • Bolivia • Brazil • Chile • France • Mexico • Paraguay • Peru • Romania 1978 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions: Argentina Runners-up: Netherlands Third place: Brazil  Fourth place: Italy  Eliminated in second round: Austria • Peru • Poland • West Germany Eliminated in group stage: France • Hungary • Iran • Mexico • Scotland • Spain • Sweden • Tunisia 1986 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions: Argentina Runners-up: West Germany Third place: France  Fourth place: Belgium  Eliminated in quarter-finals: Brazil • England • Mexico • Spain Eliminated in round of 16: Bulgaria • Denmark • Italy • Morocco • Paraguay • Poland • Uruguay • USSR Eliminated in group stage: Algeria • Canada • Hungary • Iraq • Korea Republic • Northern Ireland • Portugal • Scotland 1990 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions: West Germany Runners-up: Argentina Third place: Italy  Fourth place: England  Eliminated in quarter-finals: Cameroon • Czechoslovakia • Republic of Ireland • Yugoslavia Eliminated in round of 16: Belgium • Brazil • Colombia • Costa Rica • Netherlands • Romania  • Spain • Uruguay Eliminated in group stage: Austria • Egypt • Korea Republic • Scotland • Sweden • UAE • United States • USSR FIFA World Cup Winners 5 titles: Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002) 4 titles: Italy (1934, 1938, 1982 & 2006) 3 titles: Germany (1954, 1974 & 1990) 2 titles: Uruguay (1930 & 1950) • Argentina (1978 & 1986) 1 title: England (1966) • France (1998) National sports teams of Argentina Basketball (F, M) | Field Hockey (F, M) | Handball | Rugby League| Rugby Union | Football (Soccer) (F, M) | Tennis (F, M) | Volleyball (F, M)