Page 47 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

A POR TR AIT OF ARGENTINA  45

The offerings of soccer
fans decorate the front of World Cup Facts
the Suizo-Argentina private The Argentinian national
clinic in Buenos Aires, where squad has won two World
the former Argentinian Cups – in 1978, when they
soccer star, Diego Maradona, hosted the event and beat
was hospitalized in 2004. Holland, and in 1986, against
He remained in intensive West Germany. Both victories
care for several months as have been plagued by
a result of a long period of controversy: in the former it
drug and alcohol abuse, has been claimed that the
which left him fighting then military dictatorship paid
for his life. for Argentina to win against
Peru in the semi-finals; in the
latter, Argentina beat England
Fifa World Cup 2–1 in the quarter finals, where
Final (1986) the first goal was a handball by
Diego Maradona. The second
Argentina jumped goal was a spectacular one-
to a 2–0 lead after man display, also by Maradona,
55 minutes, but West that shattered England’s
Germany scored two defence. The team was runner-
goals to equalize in the up in the first tournament,
last ten minutes. Then, held in 1930 in Uruguay, and
with seven minutes in 1990 in Italy.
remaining, Jorge
Burruchaga scored a
brilliant winning goal
after receiving a pass
from Maradona.

The Argentinian squad,
crowned with olive
wreaths, celebrates with
their gold medals at the
2004 Olympic Games in
Athens, Greece. They
defeated Paraguay 1–0 in
the final match.
Soccer Legends
Over the years, Argentina has
produced a pantheon of great
players that have outshone
others with their skill, agility, and
exquisite footwork. These include
the soccer player and coach
Alfredo di Stefano, the striker Alfredo di Stefano (b.1926), nick- Diego Maradona (b.1960) is one of
Gabriel Batistuta, and the named Saeta Rubia (Blond Arrow), the greatest footballers of all time,
legendary Diego Maradona, who was a player of immense stamina, despite being embroiled in contro-
shares with Pele the title of the versatility, and vision. versy on and off the pitch.
best soccer player in the world.

Oscar Ruggeri (b.1962), nicknamed Gabriel Batistuta (b.1969) is a Lionel Messi, widely considered to be
El Cabezón (Big-Headed One), was one prolific player who, at an inter- Maradona’s heir apparent, was crowned
of the most successful defenders to national level, is Argentina’s all-time FIFA World Player of the Year every year
come out of Argentina. highest goal scorer. from 2009 to 2012, and again in 2015.

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