Day 16 Preview: The Argentine connection
24 June 2006, 00:36
Twenty years ago the World Cup was held in Mexico. It was not long after a terrible earthquake hit the capital city, killing more than 9,000 people. The tournament went on as planned. Some felt it would provide a moment of cultural relief. Others felt it was a distraction.
Mexico beat Iraq that year to progress to the second round (This year they beat Iran). Then they lost in the quarterfinals to the West German powerhouse. The tournament, though, belonged to a diminutive Argentinian named Diego Armando Maradona. He dazzled the Mexicans as he led his country into the final against Germany. Nearly everyone in Aztec stadium (and nearly everyone around the world) was pulling for him to do something spectacular, like he did against England and Belgium. He did.
He dribbled up the field, split the defense with a pass, and Burruchaga scored the third, decisive goal. Argentina won the World Cup. Maradona’s trip to Mexico was the greatest individual performance of all time. The Mexican fans appreciated it. They envied it.
The relationship between Mexico and Argentina in soccer is a complicated mix of camaraderie and enmity. It involves a lot of cross-breeding. The Mexican league is filled with Argentine players. Mexico’s current coach Richard LaVolpe, born in Argentina, was a goalkeeper for the Argentine national team. The Argentine leagues, though, do not court as many northern immigrants. The asymmetry of this relationship causes a bit of uneasiness.
Despite Argentina’s dominance on the world stage, Mexico has held its own in their international meetings. Most recently, in the 2005 Confederations Cup, they outplayed the Albicelestes but lost on penalty kicks. They hope to avenge that defeat when they meet the Argentines tomorrow in a win-or-go-home match. Argentina is favored. Mexico carries its usual inferiority complex into the game, but they also bring a pretty good team and a bit of a chip on their collective shoulder.
Host nations always do well, prompting questions about conspiracy, the supernatural, or the strange magic of the crowd. In 86 the Mexicans, led by the somersaulting striker Hugo Sanchez, made an excellent run. It took all the German wiles to keep them at bay. This year it’s the Germans who are at home. They face the erratic but dangerous Swedes. This will be a battle of excellent northern names and haricuts—from Wilhelmsson’s rattail to Schweinsteiger’s modified mullet. But look for the Germans to summon the extra energy of the home team.
It’s knockout time now. No ties. The loser is out.
Comments
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Doesn’t La Volpe look like he could be a Muppet?
— Joe · 25 June 2006, 23:14 · #
La Volpe belongs in The Muppet Show because of his horrible ties!
— petronio · 26 June 2006, 17:44 · #