Edit: There was evidently suspicions by AJ and the Maradona camp that it was all a charade in order to boost the chances of AFA’s preferential teams.
Next up Maradona and Argentina would take on FIFA’s Rest of the World squad which boasted of many of the best players in the world.
This is also Diego history about penalty kicks including errors. Of course, until 23.06.1979 MARADONA PENALTY KICK HISTORY (as of 23.06.1979) 1. 23-11-1977 Union Santa Fe vs Argentinos Jr 3-1 , Nacional 1977 2. 27-11-1977 Argentinos Jr vs Atletico Ledesma 2-1, Nacional 1977 3. 30-11-1977 Huracan vs Argentinos Jr 2-2 MISSED 4. 17-12-1977 Argentinos Jr vs Union 4-1 MISSED 5. 30-08-1978 Velez vs Argentinos Jr 0-2, Metro 1978 6. 10-09-1978 Argentinos Jr vs Colon 2-1, Metro 1978 7. 20-09-1978 Huracan vs Argentinos Jr 1-2, Metro 1978 (1) 8. 20-09-1978 Huracan vs Argentinos Jr 1-2, Metro 1978 (2) 9. 01-10-1978 Argentinos Jr vs Banfield 3-2, Metro 1978 10. 08-10-1978 Chacharita vs Argentinos Jr 2-3, Metro 1978 11. 14-02-1979 Deportivo Cucuta vs Argentinos Jr 1-5, Friendly (1) 12. 14-02-1979 Deportivo Cucuta vs Argentinos Jr 1-5, Friendly (2) 13. 28-02-1979 Argentinos Jr vs San Lorenzo 1-0, Friendly 14. 11-03-1979 Argentinos Jr vs Racing 1-5, Metro 1979 15. 13-05-1979 Argentinos Jr vs Velez 1-2, Metro 1979 16. 17-06-1979 Newells vs Argentinos Jr 1-2, Metro 1979 14 scored, 2 missed so far. There are also this 2 penalty kicks during shootouts Penalty shootout: *31-08-1977 Paraguay vs Argentina, penalty shootout, Missed, Copa Felix Bogado *22-05-1979 Argentina vs Netherlands, penalty shootout, scored, Friendly
Friendly 23/06/1979 Argentina 1-2 FIFA (Rest of the World) Stadium: River Plate, Buenos Aires To commemorate the one year anniversary of obtaining the World Cup, Argentina invited FIFA’s world stars. Mundo Deportivo headlined: “The Argentinian defense failed: Maradona and Boniek, the stars” “For Diego Maradona last night it was not one of his best games, having to withstand the implacable and impeccable defensive job of Tardelli — and also some rough kicks, which ultimately cost the Italian player a red card — but the goal he scored, from a difficult angle, served to correct errors.” http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1979/06/27/pagina-10/1054119/pdf.html According to Guerin Sportivo, when Maradona scored his goal, Enzo Bearzot, who was coaching the FIFA team, applauded from the bench. It was certainly one of the most aesthetically memorable goals of Diego for the senior NT, which produced an iconic Kodak moment with this celebration: The Italian publication clarified it was a Brazilian festival, with Zico and Toninho shining. For La Nación it was a party for all with an “exceptional” goal taken out of the blue from Maradona. But it had not been his best game but players like him could in one moment decide a play with a moment of brilliance, according to the newspaper. For El Gráfico there was concern about the play of the Argentinian side. With the “exception from the wonderful goal invented” by Maradona the team never created any other chance in the first half and relinquished the lead in the second period with poor defending. El Gráfico rated Diego with an acceptable grade of a 6. For most Argentinian sources the arrival of Zico in the second half changed the dynamic of the game, with El Gráfico rating him with high marks. Menotti and Bearzot praised the Brazilian’s game but the Argentinian was not content with how his team had played. Poland’s Boniek also had been another player that received high praise. Tardelli, who shadowed Maradona, later would say that Maradona still had to polish more of his game to be compared to Pelé, but Enzo Bearzot instead had nothing but praise for the Argentinian, calling him a “real fuoricalsse”, as in an outstanding class player. Diego later said: “They kicked me around. That Tardelli stuck to me like glue until he was sent off. I think the only moment was when I scored.” Argentina lost. What can you say about the game? “In front of us there was the best players you can have. And although they did not train much as a team, the guy that knows how to play shows it always. They are good and without a group. That Boniek, mamita! The people came to see Platini and left watching the Polish player.” Are you mad with yourself ? “We wanted to comply. The defeat hurts. Especially for the people. I never lived a thing alike entering a field. We couldn’t see anything. There were papers even in the middle of the field. Before starting the game I started doing tricks with the papers on the pitch. (...) This is not an excuse but the day before we were at the Sheraton hotel and we got distracted. With gifts and prizes. What we needed was to focus on the upcoming game. We took it as a rough challenge, we knew the risks at hand and we were conscious about not letting down the people.” Afterward, El Gráfico asked the Rest of the World players many questions. 1. How would you form a world team including Argentinian players? 2. Who was the best player you saw in your life? 3. Who was or is the best player in your country? 4. If the World Cup was played in the next two months who would be the finalists? 5. What was the best game in your life? 6. Choose an Argentinian player today? Summary: 1 goal
This goal vs Rest of the World was already number 30 for Maradona during 1979 (January 79 -> December 79): so far Diego has played 34 games (23 official games) scoring 30 goals (16 in official games). Cant wait for more @Vegan10
Metropolitan Championship 1979 Round 16 01/07/1979 River Plate 1-0 Argentinos Juniors Stadium: River Plate Field condition: Good This was the last match that Maradona played in the Metropolitan championship because he was handed down with the 6 match ban from Argentina’s FA for the absurd circumstances surrounding his red card in a friendly match. Argentinos Juniors fought hard winning the last two league rounds without Diego to reach a playoff tiebreaker vs Velez Sarsfield but were eventually hammered 4-0 on neutral grounds and eliminated. La Nación headlined: “River was more positive” El Gráfico headlined: “In River the forgotten talents returned” “In Argentinos, Maradona was too alone” This was a match that tactically Argentinos got wrong, according to the report with Diego isolated up front as a center forward. It was also a difficult encounter played on the soaked rained pitch, which impeded players to showcase their talents as the ball frequently got struck in puddles of water. River were the better side with their star players ending triumphantly as J.J Lopez and Alonso shined. Maradona did not shine like on other occasions, too isolated, with little support and crowded out by the backline of the home side’s team. Diego received a correct grade of a 6 from El Gráfico but was well contained in this match.
Friendly 05/07/1979 Peru 2-2 Argentinos Juniors Stadium: Nacional — Lima, Peru Before I get into the final details of Maradona’s Metropolitan tournament, he traveled to Lima to face the NT of Peru with his club. It was Diego against Cesar Cueto, Peru’s ‘left footed poet’. Not much information I could find about the details of this friendly match other than Diego scoring a goal. Summary: 1 goal https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-d...recuerda-su-inolvidable-paso-peru-819627.aspx https://www.google.com/amp/s/depor.com/futbol-peruano/el-ultimo-miercoles-25-diego-maradona-fallecio-a-los-60-anos-y-aqui-te-recordamos-los-partidos-que-al-futbolista-argentino-le-toco-disputar-en-nuestro-pais-enfrento-a-la-seleccion-peruana-universitario-y-alianza-lima-noticia/?outputType=amp
Overall statistical summary of Diego Maradona's Metropolitan Championship 1979 05/03/1979 Unión (Santa Fe) 1-1 Argentinos Juniors rated 7 by El Gráfico 11/03/1979 Argentinos Juniors 1-5 Racing 1 goal (PK) rated 8 by El Gráfico 18/03/1979 Velez Sarsfield 1-3 Argentinos Juniors 2 goals rated 9 by El Gráfico (MOTM = stands for man of the match) 25/03/1979 Platense 1-2 Argentinos Juniors 1 goal rated 7 by El Gráfico (MOTM) 01/04/1979 Argentinos Juniors 1-0 Newell’s Old Boys 1 goal rated 7 by El Gráfico 08/04/1979 Huracán 1-3 Argentinos Juniors 1 assist rated 8 by El Gráfico (MOTM) 15/04/1979 Argentinos Juniors 3-1 River Plate 2 goals, 1 assist rated 10 by El Gráfico (MOTM) 22/04/1979 Quilmes 3-0 Argentinos Juniors rated 5 by El Gráfico 29/04/1979 Argentinos Juniors 3-0 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) rated 6 by El Gráfico 13/05/1979 Argentinos Juniors 1-2 Velez Sarsfield 1 goal (PK) rated 6 by El Gráfico 10/06/1979 Argentinos Juniors 5-1 Platense 2 goals, 1 assist rated 10 by El Gráfico (MOTM) 17/06/1979 Newell’s Old Boys 1-1 Argentinos Juniors 1 goal (PK) rated 7 by El Gráfico 23/06/1979 Argentinos Juniors 3-2 Huracán 3 goals rated 10 by El Gráfico (MOTM) 01/07/1979 River Plate 1-0 Argentinos Juniors rated 6 by El Gráfico Metropolitan Championship 1979 Total: 14 games, 14 goals + 3 assists (confirmed) Maradona was the joint top scorer with 14 goals. He scored 8 from open play, 3 penalty kicks and 3 free kicks. His 14 goals + 3 assists amounted for 50 percent of the club’s 34 goals. Grades El Gráfico rated Maradona in the following way: 3 spectacular games with a 10 1 excellent game with a 9 2 very good games with an 8 4 good games with a 7 3 correct games with a 6 1 poor game with a 5 Maradona was the man of the match on 6 occasions. Final average 7,57 (top rated player in the campaign) Thanks to Titanlux, the averages were panned out in this thread: https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/primera-división-rankings-of-argentinean-football.1862688/page-6#post-38616803 Final impressions Although Maradona was by a good distance rated as the best performer in the campaign, with a grade average of a 7,57 and a ratio of 1 goal per game, the incredible circumstances that surrounded his 6-match ban for a red card in an inconsequential friendly game which carried over to the league, jeopardized the team and its potential possibilities at advancing to the knockout stage. The deciding match where Maradona was absent due to suspension. With the controversial Metropolitan Championship out of the way, the NT took priority over again. The Copa America and especially the Youth World Cup was the main objective next. A brief recap of Diego’s year so far since it’s at the halfway point. Awards and reception 1979 Youth World Cup Qualifying championship best player voted by the international press 1979 El Gráfico’s best rated player on the European tour 1979 Metropolitan Championship best rated player by El Gráfico 1979 Metropolitan Championship top scorer 1979 World Soccer’s magazine potential best player in the world with the headline: “Maradona destined to be the world’s best ?” Coming up next Maradona vs Zico at the mythical Maracaná stadium of Rio de Janeiro.
Metropolitan Championship 1979 Played 14 games, 1214 minutes, scored 14 goals, 1.038 per 90 minutes scored 51.85% of the 27 team goals
Friendly 25/07/1979 League Tucumán 2-1 Argentina Youth NT Stadium: San Martin, Tucumán Prior to the match against Brazil, in preparation for the Youth World Cup, the NT faced the local league side of Tucumán in the northern province of Argentina. The NT lost but in truth the result should have been a draw, according to the captain of the local side. The problem with the NT was that they could create brilliantly an abundance of chances but lacked that finishing touch. But fortunately at the Youth World Cup those chances would be capitalized. Speaking about the Youth World Cup, the Argentinian FA and Cesar Luis Menotti made it clear that this FIFA tournament was their main priority. On the other hand, the Copa America would be used as a test to prepare and study new players for the year of 1980 in preparation for the 1982 World Cup. It was given little importance with Argentina sending a B side to La Paz and Rio de Janeiro. https://www.google.com/amp/s/enunabaldosa.com/2010/12/15/seleccion-tucuman-2-argentina-sub-20-1/amp/
Copa America 02/08/1979 Brazil 2-1 Argentina Stadium: Maracaná, Rio de Janeiro Spectators: 120.000 Brazilian fans and their press love duels and this was the first time that South America’s two most famous number 10’s would face eachother (although curiously Diego fielded the number 6 jersey). The Brazilian would win the match but the Argentinian would steal the headlines. At first it wasn’t clear that Diego would start because Menotti wasn’t too keen on taking this game seriously. But a Brazil-Argentina confrontation is always a rivalry for bragging rights. Both the Brazilian and Argentinian press agreed that Zico and Maradona had played well but that Diego had shined above the Brazilian in the personal duel. Fohla de São Paulo headlined: “When Brazil gained confidence they won” “Zico with luck, Maradona better” The Brazilian newspaper pointed out that Zico’s opportunism saved his day but that Maradona was unfortunate that his teammates had failed to capitalize mostly every chance that he had created. Zico it was said, had spent most of the first half “lost” as the Brazilian midfield had been unable to control the game with Maradona dictating most of the tempo and flow of the actions. “In the second period, Zico again had luck, despite not showing the same futbol talent of the precocious young Maradona” [...] “Maradona after the second Brazilian goal as time passed by, was simply exquisite. He passed with precision ala Rivelino, and almost surprised goalkeeper Leao with a low driven shot, almost leveling the game. He justified his fame.” Jornal do Brasil (Rio de Janeiro) headlined: “Zico and Maradona, a duel of high level” “Zico showcased his opportunism and capacity to open spaces” “Maradona showed that he has talent and personality” “In favor of Maradona, is his personality at 18 years old and in his first visit at the Maracaná, was the direct focal attention to all of Argentina’s chances, which justified the hopes that lay on his shoulders for his country” El Gráfico headlined: “With this defeat nothing was lost” With the exception of Passarella and Maradona, Argentina fielded mostly debutants. For Menotti Brazil had not convinced him and that the result had been unfair. For El Gráfico Diego had been the best player for Argentina and joint top rated in the match with Brazilian goalkeeper Leao with the high marks of an 8. It read: “He set up the pass that led to the leveling goal, he moved with clarity and intelligence, he unbalanced the opposing defense drawing players and beating them, he launched passes with great precision and showed a new facet to his game with his personality: Diego Maradona understood perfectly the situation and owned up to it. He was the conductor of the team. There was no clear chance created for Argentina that didn’t have his finger prints written all over it.” La Nación headlined: “The winner was more opportune” El País (Spain) Brazil defeated Argentina by two goals to one, in a match played at the Maracanã Stadium before 120,000 spectators and valid for the Copa de América for national teams. The match was of great quality, especially due to the brilliant performance of various individuals: Leao, Amaral and Zico, for Brazil; and Passarella and Maradona, for Argentina. The young Maradona enraptured the Brazilian public in some of his interventions. Brazil lined up Leao; Toninho, Amaral, Edinho, Pedrinho; Carpeggiani, Zico, Zenon; Tita, Palhinha and Ze Sergio. For its part, Argentina presented a completely renewed selection, with only one of the world champions, the libero Passarella: Vidalle; Barbas, Van Tuyne, Passarella, Ordon; Gaitán (López), Gaspari, Larraqui; Díaz (Castro), Maradona and Coscia. Zico (minute three), Coscia (minute twenty-nine) and Tita (minute 53) scored. During the entire second half, Maradona's brilliant game, unbeatable in dribbling, fast in sprinting and extremely intelligent and deep in his shooting, put Brazil in serious trouble. The great positioning of Libero Amaral and some excellent interventions by goalkeeper Leao saved the victory of the Brazilians. https://www.google.com/amp/s/elpais.com/diario/1979/08/04/deportes/302565602_850215.html?outputType=amp
It seems back in previous decades Brazil, Argentina at times didn’t take the copa America that seriously like the recent generation of argentina teams. Pretty much similiar to Brazil sending second fiddled side to Copa America 2003,2007,2016
great stuff @Vegan10 ! This was the 1st "official" duel between Zico and Maradona, but they have played already against each other in that Argentina vs Rest of the World friendly match with both of them scoring 1 goal
There is no doubt that the newly created FIFA Youth World Cup tournament had a stronger reputation for Argentina at that time. AFA and Menotti wanted to continue the trend of having the NT’s of all ages represented with prestige and honor abroad. In their sight Argentina had to win a NT tournament outside of their home soil in order to achieve international respect from the doubters that claimed that the senior team in 1978 only had won thanks to home field advantage. The Copa America was not important at the time and only used as a springboard to test new players for the World Cup. That’s right, mate.
Copa America 08/08/1979 Argentina 3-0 Bolivia Stadium: Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires This was the last senior NT match for Diego before he prepared for the Youth World Cup. Again he used the number 6 jersey and was again the star and main attraction of the match against a Bolivian side that ranked 43 in the Elo world rankings. It was a sharp contrast from facing Brazil who were ranked number 1 in the world. However in both cases Maradona had been generally viewed as the best player on the pitch. La Nación headlined: “Clear and overwhelming victory” El Gráfico headlined: “An exam left in suspense” El Gráfico was concerned had this tournament been taken seriously, Argentina would have struggled to overcome other contenders. But since it was an experimental journey to evaluate new players in their quest for Spain ‘82, proper judgements were not jumped to conclusions. The team despite winning well had not impressed and many of their new players had not convinced. With the exception of Maradona and Passarella, it was clear that mostly everyone else was expendable. As for Maradona, his performance was summarized like this: “The genius had moments of appearing and disappearing. The appearances were brilliant and frequent and the only way to stop him was through the means of infractions. He was the most kicked player. And that gives the exact measure of his qualities and transcendence.” Diego was then asked if he felt he was the leader or chief of the team: “No. It is true I do feel comfortable. Operating from deep I have more contact with the ball and more continuity. This team doesn’t have a chief, we are all equal trying to get to know each other better with every game” Diego received a very good grade of an 8 by El Gráfico and was awarded man of the match. Menotti afterwards would say he was still reaching conclusions in his quest to prepare for the 1982 World Cup. But also that he was concerned or rather occupied with his eyes set on the upcoming Youth World Cup held in Japan that was about to overlap with the senior NT’s duties. In fact Menotti, who managed both the senior and youth squads, would ditch the Copa America to prepare his youth team for the main event in Japan. Diego’s goal Summary: 1 goal
A recap so far of Diego’s 1979 official match performances with the NT’s utilizing grades from El Gráfico. Youth World Cup qualifying (5 games, 1 goal) Grade of 10 vs Peru (MOTM) Grade of 9 vs Ecuador (joint top MOTM) Grade of 5 vs Paraguay Grade of 6 vs Uruguay Grade of 9 vs Brazil (MOTM) Average 7,80 Senior NT (8 games, 3 goals) Grade of 10 vs Bulgaria (MOTM) Grade of 8 vs Netherlands (joint top MOTM) Grade of 7 vs Italy Grade of 10 vs Ireland (MOTM) Grade of 10 vs Scotland (MOTM) Grade of 6 vs FIFA Rest of the World Grade of 8 vs Brazil (joint top MOTM) Grade of 8 vs Bolivia (MOTM) Average 8,37 MOTM = Man of the match 13 matches with 9 MOTM awards and an overall average of 8,15 rating. These grades are in the range of 1985/1986 NT Maradona-esque.
Do you have ratings of these matches from Sources other than El Grafico ? Would like to have them..(Since you know how people are , with El Grafico being an Argentine source) Among these matches, i couldn't find Bolivia, Scotland and Bulgaria match online. Do you have any highlights or something of them somewhere ? Others are available online.
The only match that I’m aware of that had other ratings was the Italian game which used sources from their country listed below. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/d...ports-1976-1997.2109806/page-20#post-39145886 The Ireland-Argentina 1979 match does not exist online; only the 1980 game surfaced.