Nickname(s) | La Albiceleste (The White and Sky blue) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Association | Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (Argentine Football Association) |
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Confederation | CONMEBOL (South America) | |||||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Alejandro Sabella | |||||||||||||||||||
Captain | Lionel Messi | |||||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Javier Zanetti (145) | |||||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Gabriel Batistuta (56) | |||||||||||||||||||
Home stadium |
El Monumental, Mario A. Kempes, Estadio Único |
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FIFA code | ARG | |||||||||||||||||||
FIFA ranking | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
Highest FIFA ranking | 1 (March 2007, October 2007 – June 2008) | |||||||||||||||||||
Lowest FIFA ranking | 24 (August 1996) | |||||||||||||||||||
Elo ranking | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Highest Elo ranking | 1 (most recently in July 2007, 34 times in total) | |||||||||||||||||||
Lowest Elo ranking | 28 (June 1990) | |||||||||||||||||||
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First international | ||||||||||||||||||||
Uruguay 2–3 Argentina (Montevideo, Uruguay; 16 May 1901)[1][1] |
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Biggest win | ||||||||||||||||||||
Argentina 12–0 Ecuador (Montevideo, Uruguay; 22 January 1942) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||||||||||||||||||
Czechoslovakia 6–1 Argentina (La Paz, Bolivia; 1 April 2009) |
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World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 15 (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 | |||||||||||||||||||
Honours
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The Argentina national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Argentina) represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro Sabella. Argentina has won the Copa América tournament 14 times. The team is currently tenth in the FIFA World Rankings.[3]
Argentina has twice won the FIFA World Cup, in 1978 and 1986. Along with Brazil and Spain, they are the only teams that have won the competition outside their continental zone. Argentina has also won the Copa América (top continental competition) 14 times, the Confederations Cup in 1992 and the Olympic tournament in 2004 and 2008.
Argentina and France are the only two national teams that have won the three most important men's titles recognized 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).[4][5]
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The first match disputed by Argentina was against Uruguay on May 16, 1901. [6] The line-up for that match was: R. W. Rudd; W. Leslie, A. C. Addecot, A. A. Mack, H. Rattcliff, E. L. Duggan, G. E. Leslie, J. O. Anderson (cap.), S. U. Leonard, Ch. E. Dickinson, G. N. Dickinson. Most of the players called for that match played at Lomas Athletic and Alumni, which were some of the most successful teams of Amateur era in Argentine football[7].
La Selección (national team), also known as the Albicelestes (sky 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.[8]
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.[9]
Argentina entered the 1978 World Cup and was placed in Group A and finished second in their group behind Italy. Since Argentina finished second in their group they were eligible to advance onto the second round. In the second round Argentina was placed in Group 1 with their South American rivals, Brazil. In their first game, Argentina beat Poland 2-0, with both goals from Mario Kempes. Their next game was against South American powerhouse Brazil in which the game ended with a 0-0 draw. Their last second round group game was against Peru in which Argentina easily defeated with a 6-0 win. Argentina were able to edge out Brazil in the group and went onto the finals.
Argentina faced the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final. Mario Kempes gave Argentina a lead in the 38th minute but the Dutch were able to respond in the 82 minute with a goal of their own. The game went to extra time and Mario Kempes once again gave the Argentinians a lead and Daniel Bertoni added another goal which sealed the win for Argentina. Argentina became the second South American team to win the World Cup at their home country.
After failing to reach the semi-finals in the 1982 World Cup, Argentina entered the 1986 World Cup with hope because of one player, Diego Maradona. Argentina was placed in Group A alongside Italy, Bulgaria, and South Korea. In their first game, Argentina was able to beat South Korea 3-1. Their second game was against Italy a tougher opponent. Italy was able to take lead in the 6th minute but Diego Maradona responded with a goal in the 34th minute. The game later ended with a 1-1 draw. Their last group game was against Bulgaria which resulted in a 2-0 Argentina win.
Argentina entered the Round of 16 against their South American rival, Uruguay. The game ended in a 1-0 win for Argentina. Next, Argentina moved on to the quarter-finals playing England. The game started very evenly, with both teams getting chances to score but none were able to finish. The first-half ended with Argentina having the majority of possession but unable to get pass a tough defense. Six minutes following the second half Diego Maradona scored a controversial goal in which he used his hand; dubbed the Hand of God. The goal began with a defensive error from Steve Hodge who passed the ball incorrectly back to the goalkeeper, Peter Shilton. At that time Diego Maradona was still continuing his run and reached the ball first and netted it in with his left fist. After the goal, Maradona encouraged his teammates to embrace the goal so the referee would allow it. After just four minutes from the Hand of God goal, Diego Maradona scored a goal in which people called "The Goal of the Century" because of the individual effort of Maradona. Maradona passed five English midfielders and dribbled around the goalkeeper and scored the goal. Argentina beat England, 2-1. Argentina defeated Belgium 2-0 in the semi finals to advance to the finals with West Germany. Argentina won a thrilling game in which they won their second World Cup title. Jose Luis Brown opened the scoring for Argentina. Argentina increased the lead with a goal from Jorge Valdano. Germany started a comeback with goals from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi Voller which evened the game at 2-2. Jorge Burruchaga scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute giving Argentina a 3-2 victory over Germany.
Argentina had been eliminated at the group stage at Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, although they had been among the pre-tournament favorites. There was a high expectation of a better performance in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
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 organized by FIFA, as the best goal of the World Cup.[10] 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.
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 favorites to beat Brazil in the final, but were defeated 0–3.
Prior to the World Cup, Diego Maradona was appointed head coach. Argentina was placed in Group B in the 2010 World Cup and won all their games in that group. Their first game was against Nigeria, Argentina netted a goal in the 6th minute but struggled to add another one throughout the game. The game ended with a 1–0 victory for Argentina. Their second game was against South Korea. This time Argentina was able to find the net more easily with a hat trick from Gonzalo Higuaín and a own goal from the opposing team. Argentina won the game 4–1. Argentina's last group game was against Greece in which they won 2–0.
Argentina then advanced to the Round of 16 and played Mexico. The game started with controversy when Carlos Tévez headed a ball from Lionel Messi for a goal. Replay clearly shows that Carlos Tevez was offside. Eventually, Argentina beat Mexico 3–1 to advance to the quarter-finals. In a much hyped game Argentina was shocked after Germany thrashed them with a 4-0 win. Thomas Müller opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, Miroslav Klose had a brace, and Arne Friedrich netted a goal as well. Their 4–0 loss to Germany marked the end of Argentina in the 2010 World Cup.
The 2011 Copa America was the first major tournament for new coach Sergio Batista. Argentina started the 2011 Copa America with a shocking 1–1 tie against underdogs Bolivia. In their second game, they had a goalless draw against Colombia in Santa Fe but went on to win their third game 3–0 against Costa Rica.
Argentina was to play Uruguay in the quarterfinals. After going down in 5 minutes to a Diego Pérez goal, Gonzalo Higuain equalized in the 17th minute. The score remained unchanged and Argentina lost 5–4 in a penalty shootout with a miss from Carlos Tevez.
After the elimination, coach Sergio Batista was sacked, to be replaced by former Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella.
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 9 | |||||||
1934 | First round | 9th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||
1938 to 1954 | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
1958 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | |
1962 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | |
1966 | Quarter-final | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |
1970 | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||||||||
1974 | Second group stage | 8th | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |
1978 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
1982 | Second group stage | 11th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
1986 | Champions | 1st | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | |
1990 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
1994 | Round of 16 | 10th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 10 | |
1998 | Quarter-final | 6th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 23 | 13 | |
2002 | Group stage | 18th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 42 | 15 | |
2006 | Quarter-final | 6th | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 17 | |
2010 | Quarter-final | 5th | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 20 | |
Total | 2 Titles | 15/19 | 70 | 37 | 13 | 20 | 123 | 80 | 102 | 59 | 24 | 19 | 161 | 96 |
FIFA Confederations Cup record | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
1992 | Champions | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
1995 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
1997 | Did Not Qualify | |||||||
1999 | ||||||||
2001 | ||||||||
2003 | Withdrew from 2001 Copa América[11] | |||||||
2005 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 |
2009 | Did Not Qualify | |||||||
2013 | ||||||||
2017 | To Be Determined | |||||||
2021 | ||||||||
Total | Champions | 3/9 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 14 |
Copa América | ||||||||
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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 | |||
2011 | Quarter-finals |
Olympics Record | ||||||||
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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 |
2012 | Did not qualify | |||||||
Total | 7/25 | 2 Titles | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 78 | 28 |
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.
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1. Angel Vázquez (1924–1925) |
11. Juan Carlos Lorenzo (1962–1963) |
21. César Luis Menotti (1974–1983) |
Position | Staff |
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Manager | Alejandro Sabella |
Assistant managers | Julián Camino, Claudio Gugnali |
Fitness coach | Pablo Blanco |
Goalkeeping coach | Juan José Romero |
Physicians | Dr. Daniel Martínez, Dr. Alejandro Rolón |
Physical therapists | Luis García, Rubén Araguas |
Last updated: 30 August 2011
Source: AFA
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
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Colombia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
Argentina | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 5 |
Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
Bolivia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 1 |
see also 2010–11 Argentina national team results.
see also 2011–12 Argentina national team results.
The following 24 players were called for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches to be played against Bolivia and Colombia on 11 and 15 November 2011, respectively.[17] Caps and goals updated as of November 15, 2011.
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The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.
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As of November 15, 2011, the ten players with the most caps for Argentina are:
# | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
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1. | Javier Zanetti | 1994–present | 145 | 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 | 1993–2010 | 87 | 17 |
7. | Gabriel Batistuta | 1991–2002 | 78 | 56 |
Javier Mascherano | 2003–present | 78 | 2 | |
9 | Juan Pablo Sorín | 1995–2006 | 76 | 12 |
10 | Américo Gallego | 1975–1982 | 73 | 3 |
Juan Sebastián Verón | 1996–2010 | 73 | 9 |
As of November 15, 2011, the ten players with the most goals for Argentina are:
# | Name | Career | Goals | Caps |
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1. | Gabriel Batistuta | 1991–2002 | 56 | 78 |
2. | Hernán Crespo | 1995–2007 | 35 | 63 |
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 | 29 |
– | Herminio Masantonio | 1935–1942 | 21 | 19 |
9. | Mario Kempes | 1973–1982 | 20 | 43 |
10 | Norberto Méndez | 1945–1956 | 19 | 31 |
José Manuel Moreno | 1936–1950 | 19 | 34 | |
Lionel Messi | 2005-present | 19 | 66 |
This section lists players who have appeared in 50 matches or scored at least 10 goals for Argentina.
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