"You know what our training sessions need? More mortal danger."
Argentina
Sacachispas arrive for Copa Argentina match with plastic swords, shields and gladiator helmets
The Holy Water Scandal of the 1990 World Cup
Fourth-division team arrive for Copa Argentina match wearing superhero masks, beat first-division team
Fourth-division team arrive for Copa Argentina match wearing superhero masks, beat first-division team When you’re a fourth division club facing a top-flight side in a cup competition, it’s difficult to intimidate your opponents. So Sacachispas decided to go the other way with it and wear cheap Halloween masks onto the pitch for their Copa Argentina …
Rosario Central fans throw dolls on pitch, forcing match to be halted
When football matches turn into horror movies Lots of strange things have been thrown on the pitch during matches this season alone. Toy pigs, dead rats, a severed bull’s head—but the dozens of plastic dolls Rosario Central fans threw on the pitch during their match against Racing might be the creepiest yet. Last week, Rosario Central …
Estudiantes manager tears off his shirt after getting sent off
A thoroughly impressive managerial freakout Estudiantes manager Nelson Vivas completely lost his shit after getting sent off in the first half of a match against former club Boca Juniors. After a brief, yet animated discussion with the official, Vivas tore open his shirt in a fit of rage, then kicked off his shoe, and pulled …
When Maradona was busted in Buenos Aires
This day in football history On 26 April 1991, police in Buenos Aires arrested Diego Maradona for possession of cocaine. It was one more twist in the spiraling descent of the Argentina star, who had just started serving a 15-month ban from Italian football. Although he was already suffering from a cocaine addiction when he joined …
El Pibe del Barrio: Understanding the Latin American archetype and what it means for U.S. Soccer
Are economic barriers preventing the U.S. from developing more players like Christian Pulisic? In 1928, the editor of the Argentine sports journal El Grafico, Borocoto, penned the perfect description of the Argentine footballing spirit. He described the “pibe”, the kid, as one with: “… a dirty face, a mane of hair rebelling against the comb; …
When Maradona made his international debut
This day in football history On 27 February 1977, Argentina beat Hungary 5–1 in a friendly that marked the international debut of 16-year-old Diego Maradona. At the time, Hungary had been the more successful team, with two World Cup finals (1938 and 1954), three Olympic gold medals (1952, 1964, 1968) and one silver medal (1972). But …
When Maradona made his international debut
This day in football history On 27 February 1977, Argentina beat Hungary 5–1 in a friendly that marked the international debut of 16-year-old Diego Maradona. At the time, Hungary had been the more successful team, with two World Cup finals (1938 and 1954), three Olympic gold medals (1952, 1964, 1968) and one silver medal (1972). But …