Archive · 19 Jul 2026
India's U-20 Team Defeats Scaloni's Argentina in 2018
In 2018, India's under-20 football team achieved a surprising victory against Argentina's under-20 team in the COTIF Cup in Spain.
Despite being down to 10 players, India won 2-1.
The Argentine team, coached by Lionel Scaloni and Pablo Aimar, who later led Argentina to a World Cup title, was very respectful and appreciative of India's performance.
Scaloni and Aimar even visited the Indian team the next day to congratulate them.
This victory was a significant moment for Indian football, but the 'golden generation' of Indian players struggled to transition to the senior level due to limited playing time and high expectations.
Argentina, on the other hand, had a well-established football system that allowed for continuous development and success.
India's U-20 team defeated Argentina's U-20 team 2-1 in the COTIF Cup in Spain in 2018.
India won despite being a man down, with goals from Anwar Ali and Deepak Tangri.
Argentina's coaches, Lionel Scaloni and Pablo Aimar, were respectful and appreciative of India's performance.
Scaloni and Aimar visited the Indian team the next day to congratulate them and showed interest in India's football development.
India's 'golden generation' struggled to transition to the senior level due to limited playing time and high expectations.
- Who
- India's U-20 team and Argentina's U-20 team
- What
- India defeated Argentina 2-1 in the COTIF Cup
- When
- 2018
- Where
- Spain
- Why
- India's team, consisting of players from the Fifa U-17 World Cup and the AIFF's developmental team, performed exceptionally well despite being a man down.
Argentina's Football Development
India's Football Development
Team Development and Success
Argentina's Football Development
Argentina had a well-established football system with continuous development, allowing players to compete at high levels before joining the national team.
India's Football Development
India's football development faced challenges, including limited playing time for players and a lack of consistent high-level competition.
- Teams
- India U-20 vs Argentina U-20
- Date
- 2018
- Tournament
- COTIF Cup
- Score
- 2-1
- Coaches
- Lionel Scaloni and Pablo Aimar (Argentina), Floyd Pinto (India)
- Key Players
- Anwar Ali, Deepak Tangri (India)
- Argentina's Reaction
- Respectful and appreciative of India's performance
- India's 'Golden Generation'
- Struggled to transition to senior level due to limited playing time and high expectations