17 November 2007 - Zanetti Pops A Record Cap

On 17 November 2007, Argentina defeated Bolivia, 3-0, in a World Cup qualifier before a crowd of 43,308 at Buenos Aires' Estadio Antonio V. Liberti. In that match, Argentina captain Javier Zanetti made his 116th appearance for his country, becoming Argentina's most-capped player.

Zanetti made his international debut on 16 November 1994. He represented Argentina for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, but was controversially omitted from the 2006 World Cup squad by then-coach José Pekerman. Pekerman resigned after the tournament, however, and was replaced by Alfio Basile, who recalled Zanetti for a friendly against France on 7 February 2007. Since then, he has remained a mainstay of the national team, with 136 caps at present.

The match against Bolivia was a convincing win, with a first-half goal from Sergio Agüero (40') and a second-half brace from Juan Román Riquelme (56', 74'). Argentina struggled throughout the remainder of qualification, though, securing its trip to South Africa only on the last day with a 0-1 away win over Uruguay.

8 June 2005 - Crespo Humbles Brazil

On 8 June 2005, Argentina beat Brazil 3-1 in a World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.

The Albicelestes stunned the defending World Cup champions, taking a quick lead with a 3rd minute goal from striker Hernán Crespo. Crespo fired a low shot from just inside the edge of Brazil's penalty area and the ball went into the net just past the hands of oustretched keeper Dida.

Midfielder Juan Román Riquelme then doubled Argentina's lead in the 18th minute with a powerful left-footed shot from 30 meters out that flew to Dida's right and into the top corner.

Crespo added a third in the 40th minute with a flying header, completing Argentina's domination of the first half and giving them a 3-0 lead at the break.

Brazil fought back in a physical second half and finally netted a goal with a Roberto Carlos free kick in the 71st minute. They had several chances to add to their tally, but a combination of the woodwork and brilliant play from Argentina's keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri turned away shots from Ze Roberto, Roque Junior, Kaká, Adriano, and Ronaldinho.

Despite the loss, Brazil finished second in CONCACAF to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where both Argentina and Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

3 April 1905 - Living La Vida Boca

On 3 April 1905, Club Atletico Boca Juniors was founded in the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires by five Italian immigrants - Esteban Baglietto, Juan Farenga, Teodoro Farenga, Santiago Sana, and Alfredo Scarpati. The first match was played on 21 April 1905. The photo above is the first-known photograph of Boca Juniors, taken in 1906.

Boca Juniors play in blue and yellow, which the club reportedly patterned after the colors of the Swedish flag. Prior to that, Boca played in shirts with black and white vertical stripes, which were also used by another local club. In 1906, the two clubs played a match, with the winner keeping the stripes. Boca lost, and decided to use the colors of the first ship to sail into port at Buenos Aires, which was a Swedish freighter. Thus Boca adopted their now-famous blue and yellow kits.

Boca won their first title - the Argentinian amateur championship - in 1919, starting a series of successes that now includes 32 domestic and 18 international trophies, making them one of the most decorated clubs in history. Their achievements include four Intercontinental Cup/FIFA Club World Cup titles (in 1977, 2000, 2003, and 2007).

A number of international stars have played for Boca, including Juan Roman Riquelme (1995-2002 and again from 2007-present), Carlos Tevez (2001-04) and Argentine football legend Diego Maradona (1981-82, 1995-97).

20 June 2007 - Riquelme's Glorious Return

On 20 June 2007, a brace from Juan Román Riquelme secured a sixth Copa Libertadores for Boca Juniors.

It was their ninth appearance in the final, matching the record held at the time by Peñarol (though both had won it five times, two behind Independiente's seven titles). It was the fourth appearance for their opponents, Grêmio, who had lifted the trophy twice.

Riquelme, who had started his career with Boca Juniors in 1996, was back on loan after four years in Spain playing for Barcelona and Villarreal. He had won the Copa Libertadores in 2000 and 2001, with the latter being his last piece of silverware with the club. Upon his return, his impact in the league was minimal, with two goals in fifteen appearances, but he had had more of an impact in the tournament, scoring five goals in nine matches.

He added a sixth goal in the final's first leg, a 3-0 win at the Bombanera on 13 June. But he really shined in the second leg at Grêmio's Estádio Olímpico, scoring the day's only goals with strikes in the 68th and 81st minutes to seal the title. His performance led Boca to sign him on a permanent basis and he has remained with them ever since.

17 November 2007 - Zanetti Pops A Record Cap

On 17 November 2007, Argentina defeated Bolivia, 3-0, in a World Cup qualifier before a crowd of 43,308 at Buenos Aires' Estadio Antonio V. Liberti. In that match, Argentina captain Javier Zanetti made his 116th appearance for his country, becoming Argentina's most-capped player.

Zanetti made his international debut on 16 November 1994. He represented Argentina for the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, but was controversially omitted from the 2006 World Cup squad by then-coach José Pekerman. Pekerman resigned after the tournament, however, and was replaced by Alfio Basile, who recalled Zanetti for a friendly against France on 7 February 2007. Since then, he has remained a mainstay of the national team, with 136 caps at present.

The match against Bolivia was a convincing win, with a first-half goal from Sergio Agüero (40') and a second-half brace from Juan Román Riquelme (56', 74'). Argentina struggled throughout the remainder of qualification, though, securing its trip to South Africa only on the last day with a 0-1 away win over Uruguay.

8 June 2005 - Crespo Humbles Brazil

On 8 June 2005, Argentina beat Brazil 3-1 in a World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.

The Albicelestes stunned the defending World Cup champions, taking a quick lead with a 3rd minute goal from striker Hernán Crespo. Crespo fired a low shot from just inside the edge of Brazil's penalty area and the ball went into the net just past the hands of oustretched keeper Dida.

Midfielder Juan Román Riquelme then doubled Argentina's lead in the 18th minute with a powerful left-footed shot from 30 meters out that flew to Dida's right and into the top corner.

Crespo added a third in the 40th minute with a flying header, completing Argentina's domination of the first half and giving them a 3-0 lead at the break.

Brazil fought back in a physical second half and finally netted a goal with a Roberto Carlos free kick in the 71st minute. They had several chances to add to their tally, but a combination of the woodwork and brilliant play from Argentina's keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri turned away shots from Ze Roberto, Roque Junior, Kaká, Adriano, and Ronaldinho.

Despite the loss, Brazil finished second in CONCACAF to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where both Argentina and Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals.