The Argentina team preparing for Sunday’s World Cup final may have little in common with the victorious squads of 1978 and 1986, but there’s one perennial thread they and their countrymen have all had to endure: runaway inflation.
Annual inflation is projected to reach 99 per cent this month and economists expect it to top three figures soon.
When Diego Maradona led the albiceleste to the 1986 title, inflation averaged 116 per cent that year.
In 1978, when Argentina won the tournament it hosted, the rate was 176 per cent, according to central bank data and surveys.
Lionel Messi, born a year after the 1986 title and regarded by fans as the heir to Maradona’s legendary status, will make his last World Cup appearance against France.
Inspired by their talisman, the team’s run to the final match — from avoiding early elimination to posting five straight wins — has elated a nation once again enduring hard economic times.
High inflation is a constant feature in Argentina’s history, and not an indicator of the country’s World Cup success.
The team lost the 1990 final with hyperinflation around 2,000 per cent at the time.
When it lost the 2014 final, the official rate was only 22 per cent, but the suspicion was that the government manipulated the data.
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The view from The National
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THE BIG MATCH
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
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Titanium Escrow profile
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Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
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Director: Jon M Chu
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