How Argentina won the 1978 World Cup: Home-based talent, free-flowing football and peak Mario Kempes

How Argentina won the 1978 World Cup: Home-based talent, free-flowing football and peak Mario Kempes

This is the 11th in a series by The Athletic looking back at the winners of each men’s World Cup. Previously, we’ve looked at Uruguay in 1930, Italy in 1934 and again in 1938, Uruguay in 1950, West Germany in 1954, before a Brazilian double in 1958 and 1962, an England success in 1966, another Brazil win in 1970, and a second West Germany triumph in…

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Real Madrid travels 4,000 miles for a Champions League match

Real Madrid travels 4,000 miles for a Champions League match

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Real Madrid takes a long, unprecedented trip to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Tuesday. Kazakhstan joined UEFA in 2002 having previously competed in the Asian Football Confederation. The western part of Kazakhstan is geographically part of Europe, but Madrid – the record 15-time European champion – is…

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Álvarez scores twice as Atletico crushes Real Madrid 5-2 in La Liga derby

Álvarez scores twice as Atletico crushes Real Madrid 5-2 in La Liga derby

BARCELONA, Spain — Julián Álvarez scored twice and Atletico Madrid routed fierce rival Real Madrid 5-2 in a thrilling Spanish league derby on Saturday. Álvarez’s performance was sweet redemption after his controversial double-kick penalty contributed to Atletico losing to Madrid in last season’s Champions League. The Argentina striker stole the show from Kylian Mbappé, who…

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