Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti

The Estadio Monumental Antonio V. Liberti, better known as El Monumental or River Plate Stadium, is a stadium in the Nuñez district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti. It hosted the 1978 World Cup Final, as well as numerous other matches in the tournament.

The first match played in this stadium was on 25 May 1938 between River Plate and Peñarol from Uruguay. River won 3-1. Oddly enough, archrivals Boca Juniors also inaugurated their stadium on 25 May, but two years later, in 1940.

The stadium has room for 65,645 people, and was renewed for the 1978 World Cup; the opening and final matches were both held in the Monumental, which had a capacity of 76,600 at the time because all of the populares stands were standing-room.

The stadium complex also has facilities for tennis, basketball, and other sports, as well as living quarters for young footballers, a theatre hall, a parking lot, museum etc. It can be accessed by several train and bus lines, as it is located within walking distance from the Barrancas de Belgrano transportation hub. Contrary to most other stadiums in the Buenos Aires area, there is a sizable parking lot by the stadium.

The Monumental, aside from being where River Plate plays as host team, is also the stadium where the Argentine National Football Team usually plays as host, in events such as the FIFA World Cup qualification.

Rugby union matches featuring the Argentina national rugby union team, Los Pumas, also take place usually in this field. In addition, when an international music superstar or band comes to the country, its concert is held in this stadium, as it is the biggest in the country. The Rolling Stones, Madonna, U2, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Red Hot Chilli Peppers have played here, amongst others.

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Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti historical website
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti wikipedia entry
River Plate website
FIFA
CONCACAF

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