A detailed analysis of the national team: its strengths and weaknesses Each player is evaluated and the overall conclusion is that Argentine soccer is in a bit of a decline but that it is not irreversible
The title says it all. After winning the last four South American championships in undefeated fashion, Ardigo - like most porteño sports writers - is convinced of the superiority of Argentine fútbol.
Of note is that press coverage in 1958 heralded the return of Labruna to the national team one week before the team left for Sweden as a desperate attempt to fix a flawed team. However, Labruna featured here, in 1957, as a player whose contributions…
This deciding match for who would go to Sweden turned violent after Argentina took the lead. Several players were expelled, and Goles lays the blame squarely on the visiting Bolivian side for resorting to violence to avoid an embarassing score line.
Sensing that fans are angry, and ready to confront players upon their return, Goles suggests that a measured, serious, response is the best course of action to take after fans welcomed the national team with a hostile reception at Ezeiza airport.
The title of the article insinuates that the losers of this anticipated match were fans, who paid "plata" to see good soccer but instead found that Real Madrid put in a very small effort and River Plate players complained and behaved…