AUSTRALIA 4 ARGENTINA 1: JULY 1988

....and a big 5-0.

Today is the fiftieth birthday of robust former Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri.  Nicknamed - somewhat unfortunately - "El Cabezón" (The Big-Headed One) for his ability in the air rather than some delusions of grandeur complex, Ruggeri certainly fits the identikit of legendary centre back.

Ruggeri’s career began at Boca Juniors, where he enjoyed league title success alongside Diego Maradona in 1981, but it was a three year spell with River Plate between 1985 and 1988 that Ruggeri enjoyed his best times, winning the Copa Libertadores in 1986, Colombia’s América de Cali beaten in the final.

And 1986 proved to be a truly special year for the defender as his first trip of three trips to World Cup finals saw him play a key role in Argentina’s triumph.  While many will consider Los Albicelestes to have been little more a one man team due to the exploits of their iconic number 10, the performances of players like Ruggeri were instrumental in securing victory.

Ruggeri enjoyed a brief if fairly underwhelming year at Real Madrid ahead of Italia 90, another tournament in which he was to play a pivotal role, and also pitched up in Italy and Mexico.  He retired from International football following the 1994 World Cup, having amassed a magnificent 97 caps.

Today's video not such a happy occasion for Ruggeri though, a 1988 friendly and a comprehensive thumping by Australia for a largely inexperienced Argentina side.

Australia: Jeff Olver, Charlie Yankos, Robbie Dunn, Wally Savor, Graham Jennings, Alan Davidson, Paul Wade, Vlado Bozinoski, Frank Farina, Graham Arnold, Scott Ollerenshaw

Argentina: Luis Islas, Nestor Lorenzo, Mario Lucca, Oscar Ruggeri, Oscar Garre, Diego Simeone, Sergio Batista (Pedro Monzon 87), Claudio Cabrera (Oscar Dertycia 63), Hernan Diaz, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Toribio Aquino

Click the image to watch.