On Sunday César Luis Menotti, who managed Argentina to their first World Cup win and oversaw the creation of the structure around the country's national teams to this day, died at the age of 85. Sam, English Dan and Chris discuss his importance to Argentine football. We also review the semis and final of the Copa de la Liga and preview the 2024 league season, which kicks off this weekend.

Hand Of Pod 2024

Episode 491: RIP César Luis Menotti and a Liga Profesional preview

This week Sam, English Dan and Andrés are joined for the first time by Fer, the sport correspondent for the Buenos Aires Herald, who tells us why champions Vélez Sarsfield have been struggling so much for the last couple of months – which is perfect timing, as they sacked Sebastián Domínguez as manager after defeat to Huracán at the weekend. Dan is in a good mood thanks to Racing's authoritative win over Botafogo in the Recopa Sudamericana, and for River Plate it's the same old song ...

Episode 524: Vélez sack Domínguez and Racing win the Recopa

This week Sam, English Dan, Santi, Andrés and Chris look back on a weekend of action that saw the two Avellaneda sides get contrasting results ahead of their big derby this weekend. River Plate actually managed to impress Andrés for once (even though their finishing was awful) and Fernando Gago managed to keep his job at Boca Juniors for another week.

Episode 525: Independiente win and Racing lose ahead of the clásico de Avellaneda

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This week Sam, English Dan, Santi and Andrés review a clásico de Avellaneda that saw the spoils shared and a disappointing result for River Plate, among other league games, before turning our attention to Argentina's two upcoming World Cup qualifiers away to Uruguay on Friday and at home to Brazil on Tuesday. Will the world champions seal their spot before we next record?

Episode 526: previewing Uruguay v Argentina and Argentina v Brazil

This week's HOP is a long one, but not without reason: Sam, English Dan, Santi, Chris and special guest former professional footballer Andrés Gurrieri review Argentina's World Cup 2026 qualification and, more to the point, the 4–1 battering they handed out to Brazil right after their place in next year's tournament was confirmed. We also have some talk about the few domestic matches that have been played during the international break, Andrés tells us a bit about his career, and there are some listeners' questions.

Episode 527: Argentina 4–1 Brazil, and a special guest

This week Sam, English Dan, Andrés, Santi and Fer review a weekend that saw mixed results for all our teams, including Guillermo Barros Schelotto's first defeat – and first victory – as Vélez Sarsfield manager. The group stages of the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores are underway, and we have plenty of listeners' questions (including a couple Sam forgot last week).

Episode 528: Barros Schelotto takes charge of Vélez and the continental copas get underway

This week Sam, English Dan and Andrés look back on a weekend of action that saw big wins for Racing and Argentinos Juniors, more frustration for River Plate and Boca get right back to winning ways – why is Fernando Gago supposedly in trouble, again? As well as this, on Tuesday night Argentina's women's national team got a historic result, beating Canada 1–0 in a friendly.

Episode 529: Racing and Argentinos win big and Argentina women get a historic result

This week Sam, English Dan and Andrés review last weekend's Liga Profesional action, which saw Boca Juniors confirm their place in the knockout stage and Racing move into the qualification spots for the first time since (we think) the second round of matches.

Episode 530: Boca win again and Racing move into the playoff spots

River Plate host Boca Juniors on Sunday afternoon, and if you stick around long enough in this episode Sam, English Dan and Andrés eventually remember to preview it. Before that we look back on last weekend's Liga Profesional action – which saw River finally score some goals – review the week's continental results and bid a brief farewell to the most footballing pope ever.

Episode 531: (eventually) previewing the superclásico

This week Sam, English Dan, Chris, Andrés and special guest Santi Sourigues review last weekend's action, and in particular Sunday's superclásico, in which Franco Mastantuono was imperious – and scored an astonishing free kick – for River Plate. Boca Juniors manager Fernando Gago became former Boca Juniors manager Fernando Gago after the game, so we also ask what's next for them.

Episode 532: Franco Mastantuono puts Boca to the sword in the superclásico

The internet's longest-running English-language Argentine football podcast, fueled by fernet since November 2010. Presented by Sam Kelly, with a rotating cast of friends.