Argentina vs. Italy: the match of the “champion of champions” that will remember Maradona’s two great loves

From America to Europe. A new challenge has been born. Argentina will again spark against Italy. There is no World Cup involved, but there is a duel that will awaken many memories. Like 31 years ago, when Diego Armando Maradona It was between his two great soccer loves.

Few will forget the night of July 3, 1990. Maradona He led the Argentine national team, which was the current world champion and was fighting to defend its crown. In the semifinals of that World Cup, the ‘albiceleste’ had to be measured against the three-time champion Italy, as one of their last obstacles.

The match aroused quite a few emotions. .

The setting was perfect for the Argentine star. The controversy, obviously, was not lacking. The Neapolitans were at the side of the greatest idol in their history and at the same time with their national team. The posters in support of ‘Pelusa’ were not lacking. . And that was enough for a semi-final to have a very tense and dramatic atmosphere.

“It wasn’t just another semi-final, it was Italy’s turn, and in Naples! When I arrived in front of the press, happy, I said what they would never forgive me, but which was true: ‘It displeases me that now everyone asks the Neapolitans to be Italian and to encourage the national team’ “, expressed the same Maradona in his autobiography “Yo Soy el Diego”.

The game was very intense from start to finish. Argentina and Italy exploited their best weapons and staged a great show in Naples, worthy of a semi-final. Thus, regulation time ended with 1-1 on the scoreboard

Everything was defined in penalties. And the drama increased. Maradona He converted the penalty that corresponded to him, but it was Sergio Goycochea, who dressed as a hero. The Argentine goalkeeper saved two shots and silenced all of Italy after giving the pass to the final to the ‘Albiceleste’.

“Thanks to the Neapolitans for their respect. And to my teammates who left everything against a great team like the Italian. Without exaggeration, this match was a battle, and not only at the football level “Maradona wrote more than a year ago on his social networks to remember that episode.

And for the final between Argentina and West Germany, the Italian fans did not hesitate to be present to also play an important role.

No longer in Naples, but in Rome. That was where the Italians expressed their rejection against Maradona and the Argentines. The anthem of the ‘Albiceleste’ was overshadowed by the powerful whistles that resounded throughout the stadium. Maradona, as expected, got angry. “Sons of f ***,” he yelled when the cameras focused on him.

Finally, the title of that World Cup was lifted by West Germany, who won 1-0 against Argentina with a controversial penalty goal scored by Andreas Brehme. Diego Maradona, with tears streaming down her face, she had to settle for the silver medal.

From there, sadly, the ‘Fluff’ career was in decline. On March 17, 1991, the Argentine star tested positive for the first time for anti-doping control for consuming cocaine. He was 15 months off the courts and his beautiful history with Napoli came to an end.