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What was the status of the 1986 World Cup champions as of autumn 1988?
Graced by the best footballer in the world, national coach Carlos Bilardo stayed close to the idea of building a strong unit around Diego Maradona. Bilardo had a primarily defensive philosophy, and had been successful in forging a team that would get the best out of Maradona.
Since the triumph in Mexico in 1986, Argentina had however also experienced heartbreak as they finished the Copa América in 1987 on home soil in a disappointing fashion, crashing out 1-0 to Uruguay in the semi-finals. Bilardo's team eventually finished 4th in that competition. Friendly results in 1988 had so far not suggested much improvement either. Read more . . .