The Joy of Swapping

1978 WORLD CUP

Winners:

ARGENTINA

Runners-up:

NETHERLANDS

Third:

BRAZIL

Fourth:

ITALY

path to the second group stage, with Italy. Italy’s Roberto Bettega scored the only goal of the game to decide which team finished top when they met Argentina in front of 71,000 fans in Buenos Aires.

Brazil finally found their shooting boots in the second group phase during a 3–0 win over Peru. Mario Kempes also found his range with two goals against Poland. When Argentina and Brazil then drew 0–0 it became likely that top spot – and a place in the World Cup final – would be decided on goals scored. Brazil’s 3–1 win over Poland left Argentina needing to beat Peru by four goals. They achieved their aim by the 50th minute – with another two for Kempes – in a 6–0 rout.

The Netherlands turned on the style in Group A to clinch a place in the final alongside the home nation. A 5–1 win over Austria – two more for Rep – set the tone. Arie Haan’s long-range effort was the highlight of a 2–2 draw with West Germany. He did the same again, from even further out, in what was essentially a finaldecider with a swerving effort past Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff – the winning goal in a 2–1 win.

In the final, Kempes put Argentina ahead in the first half before a header by Dirk Nanninga put the Dutch level. Rensenbrink nearly won the game in the closing stages, but his shot hit the post as the game went to extra time. Kempes added a second in the added 30 minutes and then Bertoni made sure of Argentina’s first World Cup. Golden Boot:

MARIO KEMPES (6)