FIFA Confederations Cup-Part Three (1993 Artemio Franchi Cup)

Just a few months after the 1992 Confederations Cup, Argentina faced Denmark, the UEFA European Championship winners of 1992, for the ‘Artemio Franchi Cup.’

The first ‘Artemio Franchi Cup’ had been played in 1985 between France and Uruguay on European soil.

This second (and final) match-up would be hosted by the South American Champions Argentina.

Alfio Basile’s Argentina were a confident side and still unbeaten since the 1990 World Cup Final.

They had won the 1991 Copa America as well as the 1992 Confederations Cup.

The biggest news concerning this match was the re-integration of former Captain Diego Maradona for the Argentines.

He had been out of action for an entire season due to suspension for failing a drug test in the Italian League.

His suspension had ended at the start of that season and he was now playing for Spanish side Sevilla.

He made his comeback for the National Team, less than a week before this match vs. Denmark, in a friendly vs. Brazil on February 18^th vs. Brazil (1-1) in Buenos Aires.

Argentina were a full strength including the likes of Gabriel Batistuta, Claudio Caniggia and Diego Simeone.

However, they had to contend with the loss of key defender and stand-in Captain Oscar Ruggeri. He had been sent off in the Friendly vs. Brazil and would be forced to sit out this match.

Denmark were also nearly at full-strength, though, they were missing Kim Christofte and Flemming Povlsen.

In addition, their most talented player Michael Laudrup had refused to play for the National Team since the Fall of 1990, due to disagreements with Denmark Manager Richard Möller-Nielsen.

The match itself, on February 24^th at Mar del Plata, turned out to be a hard fought match and not a memorable one.

Denmark took the lead in the 12^th minute, when Argentina defender Néstor Craviotto headed in an own goal. He diverted a free kick taken from the left, as he was trying to head it to the side.

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Diego Simeone and Johnny Molby, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Kim Vilfort and Leonel Rodriguez, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Argentina tied up the match in the 39^th minute.  Maradona, in his own half, released Diego Simeone who passed the ball wide on the right side for Batistuta.

Batistuta crossed the ball in the goalmouth area for Caniggia to slide home.

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Claudio Caniggia scoring, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

There was no more scoring for the rest of the match as well as extra-time and the match had to be decided by a penalty kick shoot-out.

The Argentineans had a distinct advantage there due to their goalkeeper Sergio Goycoechea. Many still remembered his penalty shoot-out heroics from the 1990 World Cup.

Both sides scored on their first three attempts. Denmark’s Kim Vilfort was the first to miss his attempt. Caniggia missed his attempt as well for Argentina to level the aggregate once more. When Denmark’s Goldbaek also missed his attempt, it was left for Julio Saldana to score on his attempt and seal the win for Argentina, which he did.

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Sergio Goycoechea saving Kim Vilfort’s penalty kick, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Sergio Goycoechea saving Goldbaek’s penalty kick, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Argentina players during the penalty kick shoot-out, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Argentina won their second Intercontinental Trophy within months of each other.

They had not been their usual self defensively as they clearly missed Ruggeri’s guidance. They were better in midfield and upfront where Simeone and Leonel Rodríguez impressed.

This also turned out to be Claudio Caniggia’s last match for Argentina before his own drugs ban shortly thereafter, also in the Italian League. He would not appear for Argentina until the 1994 World Cup.

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Peter Schmeichel and Gabriel Batistuta, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

Photo From: DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA MEJOR JUGADOR DEL SIGLO 2001

(Diego Maradona, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

This was the Last such trophy/playoff as a Confederations Cup that would be inclusive of all Champions from all continents was about to be unveiled.

The success of the 1992 ‘King Fahd Cup’ had built up the idea of having a regular Tournament featuring all Confederations winners.

The next edition of the ‘King Fahd Cup’ was scheduled for 1995. The Tournament was still not under FIFA heading but was on its way.

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

(Diego Maradona with the Artemio Franchi Cup, February 24, 1993, Artemio Franchi Cup, Argentina 1-Denmark 1)

February 24, 1993

Artemio Franchi Cup 1993

Argentina 1-Denmark 1

Venue: Mar Del Plata -Estadio Mundialista

Attendance: 34,683

Referee: Sandor Puhl (Hungary)

Goalscorers:

(Argentina): Claudio Caniggia 39

(Denmark): Néstor Craviotto (Own Goal) 12

Note: Argentina won (6-5) on a penalty kick shoot-out.

Lineups:

Argentina:

1-

 Sergio Javier Goycochea (Club Olimpia Asuncion / Paraguay)

4-Néstor Oscar Craviotto (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda) (15-Julio Cesar Saldana (Club Atlético Newell´s Old Boys –Rosario) 115^th)

2-Jorge Horacio Borelli (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)

6- Sergio Fabian Vázquez (Club Deportivo Universidad Católica -Santiago / Chile)

3-Ricardo Daniel Altamirano (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)

14-Diego Pablo Simeone (Sevilla Fútbol Club / Spain)

5-Alejandro Victor Mancuso (Club Atlético Boca Juniors -Buenos Aires)

20-Leonardo Adrián Rodríguez (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio / Italy)  (16-Dario Javier Franco (Real Zaragoza / Spain) 60^th)

10- Diego Armando Maradona (Sevilla Fútbol Club / Spain)

7- Claudio Paul Caniggia (Associazione Sportiva Roma / Italy)

9- Gabriel Omar Batistuta (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firezne / Italy) 

Coach: Alfio Ruben Basile

Booked: Diego Simeone 14, Sergio Vazquez 16, Nestor Craviotto 68

Other Substitutes:

Luis Alberto Islas (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)

Nestor Raul Gorosito (Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro- Buenos Aires)

Alberto Federico Acosta  (Club Atlético Boca Juniors -Buenos Aires) 

Team Captain: Diego Armando Maradona

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Blue/white vertical striped Shirts, Black Shorts, White Socks

Penalties: Diego Maradona (1-1), Gabriel Batistuta (2-2), Diego Simeone (3-3), Alejandro Mancuso (4-3), Claudio Caniggia (missed) (4-4), Julio Saldana (5-4)

Denmark:

1-Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United Football Club / England)   

4-Lars Olsen (Royal Football Club Seresien (Seraing) / Belgium)

6-Torben Piechnik (Liverpool Football Club / England)     (13-Brian Steen-Nielsen (Odense Boldklub) 38^th)

3-Marc Rieper (Brøndby- Brøndbyøster Idrætsforening)

2-Jakob Kjeldbjerg (Silkeborg Idrætsforening)

5-Henrik Larsen (Aston Villa Football Club-Birmingham / England)   (12-Michael Larsen (Silkeborg Idrætsforening) 119th)               

8-Kim Vilfort (Brøndby- Brøndbyøster Idrætsforening)

9-Bjarne Goldbæk (1.Fussball Club Kaiserslautern / Germany)

7-Johnny Mølby (Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach / Germany) 

11-Brian Laudrup (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firenze / Italy) 

10-Lars Elstrup (Odense Boldklub)

Coach: Richard Möller-Nielsen

Booked: Bjarne Goldbæk 14, Brian Steen Nielsen 67

Other Substitutes:

Mogens Krogh (Brøndby- Brøndbyøster Idrætsforening)

Stig Tøfting (AGF-Aarhus Gymnastik Forening af 1880)

Mark Strudal (Football Club København)

Team Captain: Lars Olsen

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Hummel

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Red Socks

Penalties: Lars Elstrup (1-0), Johnny Mølby (2-1), Brian Steen Nielsen (3-2), Kim Vilfort (missed) (3-3), Brian Laudrup (4-4), Bjarne Goldbæk (missed) (4-4)

References:

El Grafico Number 3830, 1993

France Football, Issue 2447, March 2, 1993