Forty-six years ago, on 25 June 1978, Argentina beat the Netherlands in the World Cup final, winning the World Cup 3-1 in Buenos Aires. Cesar Luis Menotti’s Seleccion could afford to field Passarella, Kempes and Bertoni, talents that few could afford. The Albiceleste took the lead already in the 38th minute: Luque’s horizontal touch for Kempes, who controls to follow up with his left, keeps his opponent at a distance with his arm and with his left foot he beats Jongbloed who was not flawless on the way out. When everything seemed already decided, in the 82nd minute Happel’s men found an unexpected equalizer: Willy van der Kerkhof delivered a ball into the middle from the right, which he arrived at with great speed Nanningacoming off the bench, headed the ball past Fillol, who wasn’t placed very well on the occasion.
Argentina prevailed in extra time, scoring the opening goal in the 105th minute with an unusual invention Kempes, who ridiculed two Netherlands defenders, skipping over them with two quick touches with his left foot, before having his shot blocked by Jongbloed and scoring on the rebound. From then on there was no more match and in the 115th minute Bertoni closed the accounts after a repeated exchange in the strait with the inexhaustible Kempes, truly inspired. The attacker was released in front of the goal and kicked into an almost empty net, with the Oranje goalkeeper expecting a different development of the action. For Argentina it was a triumph: the World Cup won on home soil, the best you could wish for. Below is the match scoreboard:
Argentina (4-3-3): Phyllol; Olguin, Galvan, Passarella, Tarantini; Ardiles (from 66′ Larrosa), Gallego, Kempes; Bertoni, Luque, Ortiz (from 75′ Houseman). Available: Alonso, Baley, Galvan. Ct: Menotti.
Holland (4-3-3): Jongbloed; Jansen (from 75′ Suurbier), Krol, Brandts, Poortvliet; Neeskens, Haan, W. Van de Kerkhof; R. Van de Kerkhof, Rep (from 58′ Nanninga), Rensenbrink. Available: Van Kraay, Eijsbergen, Doesburg. Ct: Happel
Markers: 38′ Kempes (A), 82′ Nanninga (O), 105′ Kempes (A), 115′ Bertoni (A)
Referee: Sergio Gonnella
