Photography by Name Here | See stockists page for detailsIf the previous game’s controversies would
take some beating, the final somehow man-
aged to up the ante. While Holland were many
people’s on-paper favourites, the absence of
Cruyf or a truly creative alternative remained
a definite plus for an Argentina side that had
the talismanic Kempes in the form of his life,
and had shown just how efective the combi-
nation of home advantage and weak referee-
ing could be.
First, the Argentine FA successfully lob-
bied for a late referee switch, arguing that des-
ignated Israeli oicial Abraham Klein was an
inappropriate choice due to the political links
between Holland and Israel. A referee from
Italy, a nation with tight links to Argentina,
got the nod instead. Klein had refereed
Argentina’s only defeat of the tournament
ahead of the final; a 1–0 loss against Italy.
A bizarre sub-plot then emerged when
the Dutch team bus was taken on the scenic
route through Buenos Aires’ backstreets prior
to the game before being made to wait again
on the pitch in front of a hostile crowd ater
the Argentina players arrived five minutes
late. When they did turn up, the Argentines
began a passionate protest against René van
de Kerkhof’s forearm plaster cast — something
the Dutch defender had been wearing all tour-
nament without any objections. The Italian
referee Sergio Gonella gave in and forced van
de Kerkhof to apply an extra bandage.
with the atmosphere set, the tackles flew
in. A spiteful but surprisingly open first half
saw chances and important saves at both
ends. It was Kempes who finally broke the
deadlock seven minutes before half-time from
a now trademark ghosting run into the box.
he Dutch responded well and controlled
the second half, forcing a string of saves from
Ubaldo Fillol, until Dick Nanninga’s well-di-
rected header levelled the game with eight
minutes to go. In the last minute of the 90,
Holland’s Rob Rensenbrink was put through
on goal only for his shot to come back of the
post. An already tense, dramatic game was
heading to extra time.
Menoti, who had reportedly told his play-
ers to win it for the butchers and teachers of
Argentina, not for the generals in the presi-
dential palace, managed to rouse his wilting
players for a final push. Their passing game
returned with panache and the pressure told
just before the second period of extra time
when, following a mazy run, Kempes again
found himself one-on-one, his shot bobbling
up and eventually in of flailing Dutch legs.
The Dutch pushed for an equaliser leav-
ing gaps at the back which Kempes again
exploited, seting up Bertoni to seal the deal
and see the Dutch crushed in a second suc-
cessive World Cup final. The scenes in the
Top left: the scoreboard at the 1978 World Cup final tells the story of the game — won by the Argentine squad in extra time
Top right: host nation striker Mario Kempes scored twice against The Netherlands to finish as the tournament’s top-scorer
Above: it was a victory for the people of Argentina — but also for the dictatorship92 Esquire — June 2018