27 February 1977 - Maradona Goes International

On 27 February 1977, Argentina beat Hungary 5-1 in a friendly that marked the international debut of 16-year old Diego Maradona.

At the time, Hungary had been the more successful team, with two World Cup finals (1938 and 1954), three Olympic gold medals (1952, 1964, 1968) and one silver medal (1972). But they were in decline, failing to qualify for the 1974 World Cup, the 1976 Olympics, or the 1976 European Championship. Argentina, meanwhile, had reached the Olympic final in 1928 and the World Cup final in 1930, but had since done little on the global stage (they did have 12 Copa América trophies, however).

For the friendly, they met at the Bombanera in Buenos Aires, where approximately 60,000 people turned out to watch. By half time, the hosts were up 4-0 with a hat-trick from Daniel Bertoni (11', 18') and a goal from Leopoldo Luque (37'). Luque added another just after the break (47') to extend the lead to 5-0 before Hungary substitute Zombori Sándor pulled one back in the 61st minute.

One minute later, Argentina made a couple of substitutions of their own, taking Ricardo Villa off for Jorge Benítez and replacing Luque with young Argentinos Juniors midfielder Diego Maradona. It was Maradona's first appearance for Argentina and he would go on to become the country's greatest player, earning a total of 91 caps and leading them them to World Cup glory in 1986.

3 August 1952 - Singer, Actor, Spurs Superstar

On 3 August 1952, World Cup winner and Tottenham Hotspur Hall-of-Famer Osvaldo "Ossie" Ardiles was born in Bell Ville, Argentina.

The midfielder made his professional debut in 1973 for Argentinian club Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba and he earned his first international cap for Argentina's senior side that same year. Five years and two clubs later (Belgrano, 1974, and Huracán, 1975-78) he was a regular for the national team, starting in every match but one of Argentina's World Cup-winning campaign.

After the 1978 World Cup, he moved to Tottenham where he quickly became a fan favorite along with his fellow Argentinian teammate Ricardo Villa. The central midfield pair brought success to Spurs, helping them win back-to-back FA Cups in 1981 and 1982 (during that time, Ardiles also co-starred with Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and Pelé in the 1981 film Victory and recorded the single "Ossie's Dream" with Chas & Dave in 1981). Villa left in 1983, but Ardiles remained and went on to win the 1984 UEFA Cup with Tottenham. He left Spurs in 1988, but returned to manage the club briefly from 1993 to 1994.

In 2008, he and Villa were jointly inducted into Tottenham's Hall of Fame.

14 May 1981 - He Was A Pre-Maradona

On 14 May 1981, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City 3-2 in the 1981 FA Cup Final before a crowd of 92,000 at London's Wembley Stadium. The match on 14 May was a replay, since the originally-scheduled Final on 9 May ended in a 1-1 draw.

Spurs opened the scoring with a goal from their Argentinian midfielder Ricardo Villa in the 8th minute. The lead was short-lived, however, as forward Steve McKenzie equalized for City four minutes later. In the 50th minute, City midfielder Dave Bennett drew a penalty, which forward Kevin Reeves converted, giving City a 2-1 advantage. Spurs then drew level in the 70th minute with a goal from forward Garth Crooks.

With the match tied at 2-2 in the 76th minute, Spurs' Irish midfielder Tony Galvin played a pass to Villa on the edge of the box. Villa then weaved a path through the City defense in front of the goal and deftly slipped the ball past keeper Joe Corrigan. English press after the match called Villa's game-winner "The Goal of the Century."

27 February 1977 - Maradona Goes International

On 27 February 1977, Argentina beat Hungary 5-1 in a friendly that marked the international debut of 16-year old Diego Maradona.

At the time, Hungary had been the more successful team, with two World Cup finals (1938 and 1954), three Olympic gold medals (1952, 1964, 1968) and one silver medal (1972). But they were in decline, failing to qualify for the 1974 World Cup, the 1976 Olympics, or the 1976 European Championship. Argentina, meanwhile, had reached the Olympic final in 1928 and the World Cup final in 1930, but had since done little on the global stage (they did have 12 Copa América trophies, however).

For the friendly, they met at the Bombanera in Buenos Aires, where approximately 60,000 people turned out to watch. By half time, the hosts were up 4-0 with a hat-trick from Daniel Bertoni (11', 18') and a goal from Leopoldo Luque (37'). Luque added another just after the break (47') to extend the lead to 5-0 before Hungary substitute Zombori Sándor pulled one back in the 61st minute.

One minute later, Argentina made a couple of substitutions of their own, taking Ricardo Villa off for Jorge Benítez and replacing Luque with young Argentinos Juniors midfielder Diego Maradona. It was Maradona's first appearance for Argentina and he would go on to become the country's greatest player, earning a total of 91 caps and leading them them to World Cup glory in 1986.

3 August 1952 - Singer, Actor, Spurs Superstar

On 3 August 1952, future World Cup winner and Tottenham Hotspur Hall-of-Famer Osvaldo "Ossie" Ardiles was born in Bell Ville, Argentina.

The midfielder made his professional debut in 1973 for Argentinian club Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba and he earned his first international cap for Argentina's senior side that same year. Five years and two clubs later (Belgrano, 1974, and Huracán, 1975-78) he was a regular for the national team, starting in every match but one of Argentina's World Cup-winning campaign.

After the 1978 World Cup, he moved to Tottenham where he quickly became a fan favorite along with his fellow Argentinian teammate Ricardo Villa. The central midfield pair brought success to Spurs, helping them win back-to-back FA Cups in 1981 and 1982 (during that time, Ardiles also co-starred with Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and Pelé in the 1981 film Victory and recorded the single "Ossie's Dream" with Chas & Dave in 1981). Villa left in 1983, but Ardiles remained and went on to win the 1984 UEFA Cup with Tottenham. He left Spurs in 1988, but returned to manage the club briefly from 1993 to 1994.

In 2008, he and Villa were jointly inducted into Tottenham's Hall of Fame.

14 May 1981 - He Was A Pre-Maradona

On 14 May 1981, Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City 3-2 in the 1981 FA Cup Final before a crowd of 92,000 at London's Wembley Stadium. The match on 14 May was a replay, since the originally-scheduled Final on 9 May ended in a 1-1 draw.

Spurs opened the scoring with a goal from their Argentinian midfielder Ricardo Villa in the 8th minute. The lead was short-lived, however, as forward Steve McKenzie equalized for City four minutes later. In the 50th minute, City midfielder Dave Bennett drew a penalty, which forward Kevin Reeves converted, giving City a 2-1 advantage. Spurs then drew level in the 70th minute with a goal from forward Garth Crooks.

With the match tied at 2-2 in the 76th minute, Spurs' Irish midfielder Tony Galvin played a pass to Villa on the edge of the box. Villa then weaved a path through the City defense in front of the goal and deftly slipped the ball past keeper Joe Corrigan. English press after the match called Villa's game-winner "The Goal of the Century."