The Netherlands came within a post’s width of becoming the first European team to win a World Cup on South American soil, but they ultimately lost the 1978 final to hosts Argentina 3-1 after extra time.
The score was poised at 1-1 in the dying moments of normal time when Rob Rensenbrink was denied by the woodwork, giving Argentina the chance to kill the game off in the added 30 minutes. Striker Mario Kempes was their hero, scoring twice in the final to take his tally for the tournament to six and earn him the Golden Boot.
The long-haired Kempes opened the scoring in the 38thminute with a well-taken goal, but substitute Dick Nanninga levelled matters with a bullet header. After Argentina’s lucky escape, the hosts regained the lead with a scrappy Kempes effort and Daniel Bertoni made sure of the victory five minutes from time.
But the match – and the tournament as a whole – was controversial. Argentina at the time was being run by Jorge Videla’s brutal military regime and there have been suggestions of interference to help the hosts succeed – including referee selection, Argentina delaying the kick-off of the final and the help of Peru and their Argentine-born keeper during a crucial 6-0 second group stage victory.
The Netherlands were certainly unhappy with their rivals’ behaviour in the final and their players refused to attend the post-match ceremonies. It was Holland’s second successive World Cup final defeat, after they also lost to the hosts in West Germany four years earlier.
Watch highlights of the match below, or if you have time, why not watch the full game, which is further down.
The first half of the game is here:
And the second half is here:
