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

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