Monumental
The Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, better known as El Monumental de Nuñez or River Plate Stadium, is a stadium in the Belgrano 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. El Monumental is considered to be the national stadium of Argentina.
The first match played in this stadium was on 25 May 1938 between River Plate and Peñarol from Uruguay. River won 3-1.
The stadium was renovated several times, most notably for the 1978 World Cup, when the missing stands of one side were erected to complete the circle around the field.
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 populars stands were standing-rooms.
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 car park 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 occasionally in this field, although the Pumas more frequently play at another Buenos Aires venue, Vélez Sársfield.
When an international music superstar or band comes to the country, their concerts are held in this stadium, as it is the biggest in the country.
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