International Head-to-Head –Part 11, Argentina and Poland (with a video Interview with Argentine Journalist Mr. Nacho Dimari)

 

 

The World Cup is nearly here with Argentina facing Poland in the First Round. This will be the fifth time the sides will have met in a World Cup setting.

 

In anticipation, or this Blog Presentation with an interview, I look back at the past encounters between the Nations.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

 

The Interviewee is:

Argentinean Journalist, Mr. Nacho Dimari.

Mr. Dimari has appeared multiple times on the podcast discussing the matches of the Argentina National Team.

Mr. Dimari’s contact info:

Twitter: @ElOleg

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

 

1960s

The first matches between the nations took place in the 1960s. On June 11, 1966, as part of its World Cup preparations, Argentina hosted Poland at Buenos Aires in a (1-1) tie.

Two years later, in another friendly on December 17, 1968, this time, at Mar del Plata, Argentina narrowly defeated Poland (1-0) with a penalty kick.

 

 

1970s

The first noteworthy match between the Nations was during the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. In a group match at Stuttgart on June 15, 1974, Poland signaled its entry as a player on the world stage with an important (3-2) win that set them on a successful World Cup where they finished third.

The Nations would meet one another three more times during the decade as both were major Football Nations in this decade. Argentina were to host the 1978 World Cup and new Argentina Manager Cesar Luis Menotti preferred to face the best of Europe to prepare the team. Argentina tested itself against a strong Polish side, first on March 24, 1976, at Chrozow. Argentina won this match (2-1). A year later, Argentina hosted a number of European Nations within a month and Poland was one of these opponents. On May 29, 1977, at La Bombonera, Argentina defeated Poland (3-1).

The decade closed out with the next significant match between the Nations during the 1978 World Cup hosted by Argentina. In a Second Round Group game at Rosario, Argentina won (2-0) on June 14, 1978. It was the match that Mario Kempes came to life by scoring twice and set Argentina on a course for victory at the WC. The other noteworthy event was Ubaldo Fillol saving Kazimierz Deyna’s penalty kick.

 

Photo From: El Grafico, Libro De Seleccion-La Historia De Argentina En Los Mundiales-De Uruguay 30 A Corea-Japon 2002

(June 15, 1974, World Cup, Poland 3-Argentina 2)

Photo From: Magazine Source Unknown

(Poland squad, June 15, 1974, World Cup, Poland 3-Argentina 2)

Photo From: Magazine Source Unknown

(Argentina squad, June 15, 1974, World Cup, Poland 3-Argentina 2)

Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3008 (31-5-1977)

(May 29, 1977, Argentina 3-Poland 1)

Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3008 (31-5-1977)

(May 29, 1977, Argentina 3-Poland 1)

Photo From: Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 3, 1978

(June 14, 1978, World Cup, Argentina 2-Poland 0)

Photo From: Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 3, 1978

(June 14, 1978, World Cup, Argentina 2-Poland 0)

 

1980s

During the decade of the 1980s, the sides met three times. The first two were significant preparation friendlies. Argentina were now defending World Cup champions and Poland were still a significant power in European Football. Now Diego Maradona was in the mix, but unfortunately, he would get to play in one of these matches. On October 12, 1980, at Buenos Aires, Argentina defeated Poland (2-1) with a Maradona free kick.

A year later, again at Buenos Aires, on October 28, 1981, Poland defeated a Maradona-less Argentina (2-1) with a Zbigniew Boniek free kick.

The third match in the decade was a low-key match in India as part of Jawaharlal Nehru Cup. Argentina now managed by Carlos Bilardo, tied (1-1) with Poland on January 17, 1984, at Calcutta. From a Polish perspective, it was the last of the great team.

Photo From: El Grafico, Issue 3184, 1980

(October 12, 1980, Argentina 2-Poland 1)

Photo From: El Grafico, Issue 3184, 1980

(October 12, 1980, Argentina 2-Poland 1)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 72, December 1981

(October 28, 1981, Argentina 1-Poland 2)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 72, December 1981

(October 28, 1981, Argentina 1-Poland 2)

Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3355 (24-1-1984)

(January 17, 1984, Jawaharlal Nehru Cup, India, Poland 1-Argentina 1)

 

1990s

The sides only met once in the 1990s. By now Poland were a fading force in Europe, that may have resulted in the frequency drop in the meetings. On November 26, 1992, at Buenos Aires, Argentina defeated Poland (2-0) in a forgettable match.

 

Photo From: El Grafico Number 3817, 1992

(November 26, 1992, Argentina 2-Poland 0)

 

2010s

The last between the Nations was over a decade ago in a friendly at Warszawa on June 5, 2011, with Poland winning (2-1) in an end of season friendly.

Photo From: Source Unknown (downloaded from internet)

(June 5, 2011, Poland 2- Argentina 1)

 

Conclusion

On balance, Argentina has the edge (6 wins) and has remained a Football power, while Poland stagnated after the 1980s.

The golden age of matches between the Nations was in a decade period between the 1974 and 1982 World Cups. The sides met in high profile and memorable matches.

As Poland faced as a force the sides only met once in the 1990s and once more since the millennium.

The match in the 2022 World Cup, will be third time the sides will have met in a World Cup.

 

Note:

1-Please refer to the video link at the top of this blog upload for the interview.