26 October 1988 - No Trophy For Old Boys

On 26 October 1988, Nacional won their third Copa Libertadores, beating Newell's Old Boys 3-0 in extra time of the final's second leg.

Nacional were a very experienced tournament side, having finished as runners-up in 1964, 1967, and 1969 before eventually lifting the cup in 1971, then again in 1980. Old Boys, on the other hand, were in the final for the first time after their title-winning season in the 1987-88 Argentinian Premier División.

Old Boys took the first leg, winning 1-0 at home on 19 October with a 60th-minute goal from forward Jorge Luis Gabrich. The teams then reconvened in Montevideo for the second leg, with a crowd of 75,000 gathering for the occasion.

The organizers instituted a new rule for the 1988 tournament; like the previous finals, it was determined on points, but whereas earlier tournaments went to a playoff when the teams were level on points after two legs, the 1988 edition went to extra time. At the end of extra time, the winner was decided by goal differential with a penalty shootout to follow if needed. As it turned out, it wasn't.

Nacional took a 2-0 lead into the break with goals from Ernesto Vargas (13') and Santiago Ostolaza (36'), then added a third from Hugo de León in the 78th minute to all but seal the win on goal differential, though the teams still needed to play through extra time. Tempers flared in the 115th minute, with the referee ejecting a player from each side as Nacional held on for the title.

Despite their history of success, Nacional have not returned to the final since. Old Boys reached it again in 1992, but lost to São Paulo.

5 October 1973 - Kempes Reaches The Top

On 5 October 1973, striker Mario Kempes made his top-flight debut for Instituto de Córdoba in a 1-0 win over Newell's Old Boys. He went on to become one of Argentina's greatest players.

Nineteen years old at the time, Kempes had already spent three years with Instituto, helping them reach Argentina's Primera División for the 1973 season, the team's first time in the top flight. Kempes made thirteen appearances for them that season, scoring eleven goals, before moving in 1974 to Rosario Central, where he scored eighty-five goals in three seasons.

That performance earned him a move to Spain to play for Valencia. He was the league's leading scorer in 1977 and 1978 and won his first silverware there, winning the 1970 Copa del Rey, the 1980 Cup Winners' Cup (though he missed the first kick in the final's penalty shootout), and the 1980 UEFA Super Cup.

Despite those successes, Kempes is best known for leading Argentina to their first World Cup trophy in 1978. He was the tournament's top scorer with six goals, including two in Argentina's 3-1 win over the Netherlands in the final.

He continued to play for several teams in Argentina and Europe until he called time on his career in 1996, then spent five years in management before retiring in 2001.

24 June 1987 - The Mighty Messi

On 24 June 1987, Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina. He has since become one of the world's best players, winning a record five Ballons d'Or.

After initially playing for a local club managed by his father, Messi joined the youth program at Newell's Old Boys in 1995. There, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The costs of treatment, reported to be approximately $900 per month, proved a barrier for a rumored move to River Plate, but Barcelona were interested and agreed to cover the expenses as part of a deal that brought Messi to Spain in 2003.

He joined the Barcelona youth team, but made his senior team debut in 2004 at the age of 17 and tallied a total of nine appearances that season, followed by 25 in 2005-06. The next season, he secured a regular place in the first team, but his breakout season came in 2008-09, when he made a total of 51 appearances and scored 38 goals as Barcelona won their first La Liga title in three years and also lifted the Champions League trophy. That led to his first Ballon d'Or (and FIFA World Player of the Year award) in 2009.

Playing with a perfect blend of balance and ball control, his scoring continued to improve, with 47 goals in 2009-10, 53 in 2010-11, and an amazing 73 in 2011-12. He currently has 507 goals in 583 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona while winning a total of eight La Liga titles, five Copas del Rey, four Champions League titles, and three FIFA Club World Cups. He also won additional Ballons d'Or in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.

Along the way, he has also earned 141 caps for Argentina with 74 goals.

17 June 1992 - No Cup For Old Boys

On 17 June 1992, São Paulo won their first Copa Libertadores, beating Newell's Old Boys on penalties. It was an appropriate ending, as the only goals scored over both legs of the Final were penalties.

Newell's Old Boys hosted the first leg one week earlier and won, 1-0, with a 39th-minute penalty kick from midfielder Eduardo Berizzo. The teams met at São Paulo's Estádio do Morumbi for the second leg, where the match somehow remained scoreless deep into the second half despite constant end-to-end runs and flowing attacks from both teams.

The balance finally tipped in the 65th minute when the referee awarded a dubious penalty to the hosts. Midfielder Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (younger brother of Brazil's legendary Sócrates) converted the kick, blasting it into a bottom corner to even the series. The match ended 1-1, requiring a shootout to determine the winner.

The first attempt fell to Berizzo, who hit the post. Later, with the teams level at 2-2, Old Boys keeper Norberto Scoponi saved the shot from São Paulo defender Ronaldão, but Old Boys were unable to capitalize, as forward Alfredo Mendoza then sent his attempt over the bar. São Paulo scored on their next try, which meant that defender Fernando Gamboa needed to convert his shot in order to keep the shootout going. But São Paulo keeper Zetti guessed correctly, diving low to his left to swat the ball away and give the trophy to São Paulo.

São Paulo successfully defended their title in 1993 and won it once more in 2005. Old Boys, meanwhile, who were losing finalists in 1988, have yet to make it back to the final.

26 October 1988 - No Trophy For Old Boys

On 26 October 1988, Nacional won their third Copa Libertadores, beating Newell's Old Boys 3-0 in extra time of the final's second leg.

Nacional were a very experienced tournament side, having finished as runners-up in 1964, 1967, and 1969 before eventually lifting the cup in 1971, then again in 1980. Old Boys, on the other hand, were in the final for the first time after their title-winning season in the 1987-88 Argentinian Premier División.

Old Boys took the first leg, winning 1-0 at home on 19 October with a 60th-minute goal from forward Jorge Luis Gabrich. The teams then reconvened in Montevideo for the second leg, with a crowd of 75,000 gathering for the occasion.

The organizers instituted a new rule for the 1988 tournament; like the previous finals, it was determined on points, but whereas earlier tournaments went to a playoff when the teams were level on points after two legs, the 1988 edition went to extra time. At the end of extra time, the winner was decided by goal differential with a penalty shootout to follow if needed. As it turned out, it wasn't.

Nacional took a 2-0 lead into the break with goals from Ernesto Vargas (13') and Santiago Ostolaza (36'), then added a third from Hugo de León in the 78th minute to all but seal the win on goal differential, though the teams still needed to play through extra time. Tempers flared in the 115th minute, with the referee ejecting a player from each side as Nacional held on for the title.

Despite their history of success, Nacional have not returned to the final since. Old Boys reached it again in 1992, but lost to São Paulo.

5 October 1973 - Kempes Reaches The Top

On 5 October 1973, striker Mario Kempes made his top-flight debut for Instituto de Córdoba in a 1-0 win over Newell's Old Boys. He went on to become one of Argentina's greatest players.

Nineteen years old at the time, Kempes had already spent three years with Instituto, helping them reach Argentina's Primera División for the 1973 season, the team's first time in the top flight. Kempes made thirteen appearances for them that season, scoring eleven goals, before moving in 1974 to Rosario Central, where he scored eighty-five goals in three seasons.

That performance earned him a move to Spain to play for Valencia. He was the league's leading scorer in 1977 and 1978 and won his first silverware there, winning the 1970 Copa del Rey, the 1980 Cup Winners' Cup (though he missed the first kick in the final's penalty shootout), and the 1980 UEFA Super Cup.

Despite those successes, Kempes is best known for leading Argentina to their first World Cup trophy in 1978. He was the tournament's top scorer with six goals, including two in Argentina's 3-1 win over the Netherlands in the final.

He continued to play for several teams in Argentina and Europe until he called time on his career in 1996, then spent five years in management before retiring in 2001 and is currently a commentator for ESPN.

24 June 1987 - And He's Only 24

On 24 June 1987, Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina. He has since become one of the world's best players, winning three straight Ballons d'Or.

After initially playing for a local club managed by his father, Messi joined the youth program at Newell's Old Boys in 1995. There, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The costs of treatment, reported to be approximately $900 per month, proved a barrier for a rumored move to River Plate, but Barcelona were interested and agreed to cover the expenses as part of a deal that brought Messi to Spain in 2003.

He joined the Barcelona youth team, but made his senior team debut in 2004 at the age of 17 and tallied a total of nine appearances that season, followed by 25 in 2005-06. The next season, he secured a regular place in the first team, but his breakout season came in 2008-09, when he made a total of 51 appearances and scored 38 goals as Barcelona won their first La Liga title in three years and also lifted the Champions League trophy. That led to his first Ballon d'Or (and FIFA World Player of the Year award) in 2009.

Playing with a perfect blend of balance and ball control, his scoring continued to improve, with 47 goals in 2009-10, 53 in 2010-11, and an amazing 73 in 2011-12 as Barcelona won two more league titles (2010, 2011) and one more Champions League trophy (2011), while Messi claimed the 2010 and 2011 FIFA Ballons d'Or (a new award that combined the previous Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards).

Along the way, he has also earned 70 caps for Argentina, providing 26 goals.

17 June 1992 - No Cup For Old Boys

On 17 June 1992, São Paulo won their first Copa Libertadores, beating Newell's Old Boys on penalties. It was an appropriate ending, as the only goals scored over both legs of the Final were penalties.

Newell's Old Boys hosted the first leg one week earlier and won, 1-0, with a 39th-minute penalty kick from midfielder Eduardo Berizzo. The teams met at São Paulo's Estádio do Morumbi for the second leg, where the match somehow remained scoreless deep into the second half despite constant end-to-end runs and flowing attacks from both teams.

The balance finally tipped in the 65th minute when the referee awarded a dubious penalty to the hosts. Midfielder Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (younger brother of Brazil's legendary Sócrates) converted the kick, blasting it into a bottom corner to even the series. The match ended 1-1, requiring a shootout to determine the winner.

The first attempt fell to Berizzo, who hit the post. Later, with the teams level at 2-2, Old Boys keeper Norberto Scoponi saved the shot from São Paulo defender Ronaldão, but Old Boys were unable to capitalize, as forward Alfredo Mendoza then sent his attempt over the bar. São Paulo scored on their next try, which meant that defender Fernando Gamboa needed to convert his shot in order to keep the shootout going. But São Paulo keeper Zetti guessed correctly, diving low to his left to swat the ball away and give the trophy to São Paulo.

São Paulo successfully defended their title in 1993 and won it once more in 2005. Old Boys, meanwhile, who were losing finalists in 1988, have yet to make it back to the final.

13 December 2009 - The Title Nobody Wanted

On 13 December 2009, Banfield won Argentina's Torneo Apertura despite losing 2-0 to Boca Juniors. It was the first national honor in the club's 114-year history.

Banfield--founded in January 1896 by English expatriates in the Argentine city of the same name--entered the Apertura's last weekend with a 2-point lead over second-place Newell's Old Boys. Of their 18 previous matches, Banfield had won 12, drawn 5, and lost only 1, an impressive record due largely to the presence of their Uruguayan striker, Santiago Silva, who had racked up a league-best 14 goals. A win against Boca Juniors would secure the title, while a draw would guarantee at least a play-off.

Newell's Old Boys, meanwhile, had a potent Uruguayan striker of their own in Joaquín Boghossian, whose 11 league goals made him the third-best scorer. They were home to San Lorenzo and needed a win to have any hope of claiming what would have been their sixth title.

As a riveted public watched the two matches sharing a split screen on Argentina television, but to an anticlimactic conclusion. Both title challengers fell with identical 2-0 scorelines, keeping Banfield at the top of the table for their first national title.