Ahead of the 46th edition of the Toulon Tournament, which will be held from 26th May to 9th June, we’ve delved into the archives to relive some of the most memorable moments in the tournament history. Every Tuesday and Friday, we look back at the most thrilling facts provided by the competition. Today, we talk about the Argentina squad that won the Toulon Tournament 1975.
1975 will remain forever as a special year in the Toulon Tournament history. After two initial editions (in 1967 and 1974) which gathered both clubs and national teams, this third edition has exclusively reunited national teams for the first time ever.
France, Mexico, Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia: the line-up is pretty exciting. While football hasn’t yet a big media coverage at that moment, the tournament has been a popular success. Seduced by the style of play of the participants, fans have filled the stands at Toulon, Brignoles and Draguignan
This year, one team in particular has shone : Argentina. For its first participation ever, the Albiceleste came in the south of France with a squad composed of future big names : Daniel Passarella, Jorge Valdano, Alberto Tarantini, Americo Gallego as well as José Luis Pavoni. All these future internationals, guided by the legendary head coach Cesar Luis Menotti, fired Argentina to the title.
In quarter final, they have beaten an Hungarian side (1-0) in research of new talents after the Ferenc Puskas era. During the semi-finals, thanks to a goal netted by Marcelo Trobbiani, the South Americans earned a narrow win over Mexico led by the Real Madrid future star Hugo Sanchez.
The scoresheet of the Toulon Tournament 1975 final between Argentina and France (click on the picture for the high-resolution version)
Eventually, the young Argentinians were crowned champions after beating France in final at the Stade Mayol (Toulon). The winning goal was scored by Jorge Valdano who hasn’t found the net before this game !
Daniel Passarella lifting the World Cup trophy
This deserved title was the source of one of the biggest triumphs in the Argentinian national team history. Argentina won the World Cup 1978 with several players who won the Toulon Tournament three years ago : Americo Gallego, Alberto Tarantini and the captain Daniel Passarella. The latter won again the World Cup in 1986 alongside Jorge Valdano.
All these international triumphs have something in common : the Toulon Tournament. Where everything started.
Mathieu Lauricella