The 1978 World Cup Final
Holland again reached the Final, though this time
without Johan Cruyff. They were playing Argentina in
the River Plate stadium in Buenos Aries.
The home crowd made the
game difficult for the Dutch, and there were some
problems before play started. Argentina came out of
their dressing room late, and then complained about a
plaster cast protecting the broken wrist of one of the
Dutch players.
The game finally started ten minutes late, and the
problems seemed to upset the Dutch. They had a poor
first half, and in the 38th minute, Argentina took the
lead with a goal scored by Mario Kempes.
Unlucky Holland
In the second half Holland came back strongly. They did
not equalise until the 83rd minute header from
substitute Dick Nanninga. Holland continued to dominate
and hit the post in the last minute.
In extra-time Kempes scored a second goal and made
another. Argentina were champions – the third time in
four tournaments that the hosts had won the competition
1970 World Cup Factsheet *
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