--Searchlight on Super Eagles Group F foes


ARGENTINA

THE COUNTRY
POPULATION: 40.6 million (UN, 2010)
CAPITAL: Buenos Aires
AREA: 2.8 m sq km (1.1 million sq miles)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Spanish
MAJOR RELIGION: Christianity
NATIONAL STADIUM: Antonio Liberti Monumental'de Nunez [76 Capacity]

HISTORY AT THE WORLD CUP

URUGUAY 1930
The first ever world cup was held in Uruguay. Only thirteen teams entered the competition which was eventually won by the hosts. The Argentina national football team actually lost in the final with Uruguay. Overall the tournament was bad tempered. It could also be seen as competitive, as there had been a worry it may not capture the public’s attention.

ITALY 1934
Four years later the World cup tournament had undergone a change. It was held in Italy and this time team’s had to qualify to take part. Although the Argentina national football team made it to the finals, they had also undergone a few changes. The side did not contain any players that were in the squad that made it to the final four years previous. This was due to internal disputes. They were eliminated in the first round, losing 3-2 to Sweden.

SWEDEN 1958
After 1934 the Argentina national football team did not enter another tournament until 1958 in Sweden. This was due to disputes over the staging of back-to-back tournaments in Europe and the second World War. On their return they were well fancied but struggled in the group, eventually finishing bottom. After an opening fixture defeat to reigning world champions West Germany, the side recovered to beat giant killers Northern Ireland. The final fixture, to eventual losing finalists Czechoslovakia, was where it really unraveled for the team. A 6-1 defeat left the Argentina national football team on the plane home. The team actually landed in Uruguay to avoid the angry fans in Argentina.

CHILE 1962
The 1962 world cup was notable for being the first to use goal average as a means of separating teams in a group format. Different to today’s goal difference, goal average is calculated by dividing the number of goals scored by goals conceded. This change actually worked to the Argentina national football team’s disadvantage. After beating Bulgaria and losing to England, both they and England drew their last fixtures to end on the same points. On goal average Argentina again fell at the first hurdle, as they had four years previously.

ENGLAND 1996
The 1966 world cup was held in, and won by, England. It proved to be an improvement for the Argentina national football team as they progressed from the initial group phase with two wins and a draw. In the 1st knockout round through the side came unstuck against the hosts in London. Sir Geoff Hurst, hero in the final, scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat. The game is remembered as a controversial one, as Argentina had a man sent off before the goal.

GERMANY 1974
Despite their progress in 1966, the Argentina national football team actually failed to qualify for the 1970 edition. Upon returning in 1974, the team progressed from their opening group with a win, a draw and a loss. They finished in second place on the same points as Italy, but with a better goal difference. In this format of the world cup the teams then went into a second group phase. This did not go as well for Argentina as they only managed a single point. This included a painful 2-1 defeat to rivals Brazil.

ARGENTINA 1978
In 1978 Argentina themselves hosted the world cup. There were several controversies surrounding this edition of the world cup. These included a military coup in Argentina two years previous which nearly caused other nations to withdraw. There was also an apparent deal struck between Argentina and Peru to allow the host nation to win by more than four goals. Whether this is true or not history will tell us that the Argentina national football team won their first ever world cup, on home soil. In the first group stage Argentina and Italy both won their two opening fixtures which meant when the teams met, the result did not affect who qualified. After losing to Italy the team finished second and were placed in the second round group alongside old rivals Brazil. After both teams won their opening fixtures and drew with each other, it would come down to goal difference to decide who was to make it to the final. As Argentina were playing after Brazil they would know how many goals they needed. Needing four they beat Peru by six goals to nil. In the final they met the Netherlands where they needed extra-time to beat them 3-1.

SPAIN 1982
The world cup in 1982 was the first time the competition expanded from 16 to 24 teams. The format of the tournament had also adapted. There were still two group phases but now separate one off fixtures for them semi-finals. The Argentina national football team did not begin their defence well as they lost 1-0 to Belgium. The side recovered to win there last two group fixtures to progress in second place. Their second round group contained themselves, Italy and Brazil. The side lost both games and were eliminated, although Italy did go on to lift the trophy.

MEXICO 1986

Read More: http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/blog/2013/12/focus-on-nigerias-world-cup-rivals