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 18th 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 24th at Mar del Plata, turned out to be a
hard fought match and not a memorable one.
Denmark
took the lead in the 12th 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 39th
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) 115th)
2-Jorge
Horacio Borelli (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
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) 60th)
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) 38th)
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)
After
the initial attempt in 1985 with the ‘Artemio Franchi Cup’, the FIFA
Confederations Cup came closer to fruition in 1992 with a Tournament (still not
under FIFA) that attempted to include teams from the various Confederations.
These
matches were to be hosted during the European Football season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October.
In
addition to the hosts, the participants were 1991 Copa America victors
Argentina, 1992 African Cup of Nations Champions Ivory Coast and the 1991
CONCACAF Gold Cup winners USA.
The
UEFA European Champions Denmark declined to participate as they had a World Cup
Qualifier on October 14th, 1992.
This
new Tournament was to be under the stewardship of Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Minister of Youth and Sports and President of the Saudi
Arabia Football Federation.
The
Tournament Cost of 3 Million US Dollars was to be paid by two sponsors (One
English and one Saudi).
Alfio
Basile’s Argentina had come full of confidence. They had been on an undefeated
streak since the 1990 World Cup Final. They were a far cry from Carlos
Bilardo’s team of hatchet men. They were an attack-oriented side with Gabriel
Batistuta and Claudio Caniggia providing the goals up front.
Diego
Maradona had just ended his Drugs suspension after a year and had recently
joined Sevilla. He was still short of match practice to be in International
reckoning and was therefore not called up.
Dario
Franco was another absentee. His Spanish Club Real Zaragoza refused to release
him.
Given
their firepower and experience the Argentines were favorites in a Tournament
missing European rivals.
Ivory
Coast were missing a number of key players. AS Monaco’s Youssef Fofana was
injured and other players such as Joel Tiehi (Le Havre), Didier Otokoré (Auxerre) and Moussa Troaré were not released by their clubs.
The
Americans under Yugoslav Manager Bora Milutinovic were preparing for the 1994
World Cup that they would be hosting. Given that no Professional League existed
at the time in the States, the Team was confined to play a record number of
Friendly matches to gain any experience.
The
Tournament kicked off on October 15th, with the hosts Saudi Arabia
taking on the United States.
The
Americans were hampered as early as the 18th minute, after Brian
Quinn was sent off. Milutinovic took off striker Bruce Murray at halftime to
bring in Paul Caligiuri for some defensive stability.
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(October 15, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 3-USA 0)
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(Mike lapper and Alroomi, October 15, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 3-USA 0)
This
was to no avail, as early in the second half, US goalkeeper Tony Meola was
adjudged to have fouled Sami Al Jaber in the box. The decision seemed harsh but
the Referee pointed to the spot and Fahad Al Bishi gave
the Saudis the lead. With a man down and a goal down, the US introduced Jean
Harbor, but the hosts took the initiative.
In the 74th minute, Youssef Al Thunyan headed in a free
kick from the left taken by Al-Muwalid and the match was effectively over.
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(October
15, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 3-USA 0)
Ten minutes later after a series of passes, Fahad Al Bishi gave
the ball to Khalid Al Muwalid who scored from the edge of the box.
The
following day, Argentina took on Ivory Coast at the same venue. The outcome was
never in doubt as Argentina took control from the beginning. Fernando Redondo
was in commanding form in midfield.
Gabriel
Batistuta scored twice in the first ten minutes. Both his goals were scored
after a series of intricate passes. The first one was assisted by Diego Simeone
and for the second one, Batistuta scored from a long range shot from outside of
the box from a pass by Caniggia.
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(Fernando Redondo, October 16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Argentina 4-Ivory Coast
0)
After
scoring twice so early, Argentina somewhat slowed down and relied on
counterattacks. Ivory Coast were not helped either by the sending off of Sam Abouo in the 15th minute.
Argentina
scored twice more in the second half. In the 67th minute, Acosta
sent Caniggia clear on the right side; he drew Alain
Gouaméné out of his box and
from the touchline sent a cross across the goal. Ricardo Altamirano scored into
the empty net with a diving header.
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Altamirano, October 16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Argentina 4-Ivory Coast
0)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Claudio Caniggia going past Gouamene, October
16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Argentina
4-Ivory Coast 0)
With less than ten minutes remaining, Redondo
found Caniggia who sent Acosta clear to score the fourth.
In addition to Redondo, Simeone and Villareal
had impressed. It had been an excellent demonstration of one touch Football.
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 47, December 1992
(Fernando
Redondo, October 16, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Argentina 4-Ivory Coast 0)
Three days later, the Ivory Coast faced USA for
the Third Place match and once again, their defensive frailties were exposed in
a heavy (2-5) loss.
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(Kone
Brahima and Hugo Perez, October 19, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(October 19, 21992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Eric
Wynalda heading, October 19, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(USA
and Ivory Coast squads, October 19, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, USA 5-Ivory Coast 2)
The
following day, on October 20th, the Final was played between the
Saudis and Argentina.
Despite playing at home, it was the powerful Argentineans who were favored.
Playing
with the exact starting lineup as their first match, they gave another
dominating display.
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(October
20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(October
20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Saudi Arabia squad, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina
3)
Argentina
scored the first goal in the 18th minute, after a series of passes
Simeone found Rodriguez with a long range cross and he scored.
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(Diagram
of Rodriguez’s goal, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Just
minutes later, Caniggia received a cross in the box with his back to the goal.
He quickly turned and scored the second.
The
third goal was scored in the 64th minute, Diego Simeone scored from
a rebound after a shot by Batistuta had his the post.
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Gabriel
Batistuta, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3812, 1992
(Gabriel
Batistuta, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Just
a minute later, Saeed Owairan pulled a goal back for the hosts with an
excellent long-range shot from outside of the box.
Not
Surprisingly Argentina triumphed in this first ‘King Fahd Cup’ and cashed in
$600,000 (The Saudis pocketed $150,000). Fernando Redondo was named as the
Player of the Tournament for his excellent displays.
Photo
From: World Soccer, November 1992
(Claudio
Caniggia, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 49, February 1993
(Argentina
squad, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
In
a few years time this initial experiment would grow into the current format
under FIFA.
The
next edition of the ‘King Fahd Cup’ was scheduled for 1995.
Argentina
were not done, just a few months later, they did take on Denmark for the
‘Artemio Franchi Cup’ (which we shall discuss in the next edition).
They
also went on to triumph in the 1993 Copa America at the end of the season.
Photo
From: World Soccer, November 1992
(Gabriel
Batistuta, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for
Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 46, November 1992
(Fernando Redondo Player of the Tournament, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina
3)
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12,
December 1992
(Fernando Redondo, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12,
December 1992
(Argentina captain Oscar
Ruggeri, October
20, 1992, Intercontinental Cup for Nations, Saudi
Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
Photo
From: Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12,
December 1992
(Argentina squad, October 20, 1992, Intercontinental
Cup for Nations, Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3)
References:
France
Football, Issue 2428, October 20, 1992 (‘La Selection en Demonstration’ by
Francis Huertas)
France
Football, Issue 2429, October 27, 1992 (‘Une Argentina Inter-Continentale’ By
Dhafrallah Mouadhen)
El Grafico Number 3812, 1992 (‘La Seleccion No Es Un
Espejismo’ By Gonzalo Abascal)
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 46, November 1992 (‘L’Or du Desert’ By Thierry Hubac and Alian Gadoffre)
Soccer International, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 1992
(‘Intercontinental Champions’)
World
Soccer, November 1992 (‘Desert Delights’ By Gary Bloom)
International Cup of NationsSquads:
Argentina:
1-Sergio Javier Goycochea (Club Olimpia Asuncion /
Paraguay) (goalkeeper)
2- Sergio Fabian Vázquez (Club Atlético Rosario Central-Rosario)
3- Ricardo Daniel Altamirano (Club
Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
4- Fabián Armando Basualdo (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
5- Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri (Club Deportivo Tenerife / Spain)
6- Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (captain) (Ancona
Calcio / Italy)
7- Claudio Paul Caniggia (Associazione Sportiva Roma /
Italy)
8- José Luis Villareal (Club Atlético Boca Juniors
-Buenos Aires)
9-
Gabriel Omar Batistuta (Associazione Calcio Fiorentina-Firezne / Italy)
10-Diego Pablo Simeone (Sevilla Fútbol Club / Spain)
11-Diego Daniel Cagna (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
12- Luis Alberto Islas(Club
Atlético Independiente Avellaneda) (goalkeeper)
14- Alberto Federico Acosta (Club
Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro- Buenos Aires)
15-
Jorge Horacio Borelli (Racing Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
16- Claudio Omar Garcia (Racing Club de
Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
18-
Néstor Oscar Craviotto (Club
Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
20- Leonardo Adrián Rodríguez (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio / Italy)
21-
Fabian Oscar Cancelarich (Club Atlético Belgrano
de Córdoba) (goalkeeper)
Saudi Arabia 1-Argentina 3 (Saeed Owairan 65 / Leonardo
Rodriguez 18, Claudio Caniggia 24, Diego Simeone 64)
Saudi Arabia: 1-Saud Al-Otaibi , 2 -Abdullah Al
Dosari, 4 -Abdulrahman Al Roomi, 3 -Salem Al Alawi, 6-Fuad Amin Anwar, 5
-Mohammed Al Khilaiwai, 8-Fahad Al Bishi (20-
Abdul Al Rozan 67th ), 14-Khalid Al Muwalid, 16-Khaled Al Hazaa, 7
-Saeed Owairan, 10-Sami Al-Jaber (11 -Fahad Mehalel 65th)
Coach:Nelsinho (Brazil)
Booked: Fuad Amin Anwar 47
Other
Subs: 21-Shaker Al-Shujaa, 12 -Awad Al Anazi, 9
-Hamzah Idris Falatah, 15-Youssef Al Thunyan
Argentina: 1-Sergio Goycochea, 2- Sergio Vázquez, 3- Ricardo Altamirano, 4-
Fabián Basualdo, 6- Oscar
Ruggeri (captain), 5- Fernando
Redondo, 8- José Luis Villareal (11-Diego Cagna 81st), 10-Diego Simeone,
20- Leonardo Rodríguez (14-
Alberto Acosta 73rd), 7- Claudio Caniggia, 9- Gabriel Batistuta
Coach:
Alfio Basile
Booked: Diego Simeone 29, Fabian Basualdo 62, Oscar
Ruggeri
Other
Subs: 12- Luis Islas, 15- Jorge
Borelli, 16- Claudio Garcia, 18-
Néstor Craviotto, 21- Fabian
Cancelarich
Top
Goalscorer- Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) 2 goals
Bruce Murray (USA) 2 goals
Player of the Tournament:
Fernando Redondo (Argentina)
