Supercopa Argentina

The Supercopa Argentina (English: Argentine Super Cup) is an official national association football cup of Argentina organized by the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The annual football match was played for the first time in 2012, being contested by the reigning champions of the Primera División and Copa Argentina.

History

The idea of an Argentine "Supercup" came up in 2012 when the Argentine Football Association (AFA), in an attempt to bring innovation to the current system, established a competition that would be contested by champions of Primera División and Copa Argentina, taking inspiration from European cups.

The first Supercopa was held that same year when Boca Juniors (champion of Copa Argentina relaunched in 2011) faced Arsenal de Sarandí (champion of 2012 Torneo Clausura) at Estadio Bicentenario in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca. After the match ended in a 0–0 draw, Arsenal won 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out, which gave the club its first national cup ever. Goalkeeper Cristian Campestrini was Arsenal's most valuable player after stopping three penalties.

For the second edition in 2012, AFA modified its statute to allow winner of 2013 Copa Campeonato (also named "Superfinal") to play against the winner of Copa Argentina. The "Superfinal" was a short-lived national cup contested by champions of Inicial and Final tournaments to decide the champion of the entire season. Although Copa Campeonato was in fact a national cup, the 2013 edition won by Vélez Sársfield defeating Newell's Old Boys was considered by AFA as a league title, therefore Vélez Sársfield played the Supercopa as Primera División champion.