XI WORLD CUP (ARGENTINA 1978)

FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS

(From 1-06-1978 to 25-06-1978)

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 1-06-1978 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 67.579 REFEREE: Ángel Norberto Coerezza (ARG) GOALS: - [Incidents: Opening game of the World Cup, preceded by an inaugural ceremony.]
		FRG - Poland
		0-0 (0-0)
FRG Maier Vogts (c), Kaltz, Rüßmann, Zimmermann Bonhof, Flohe, Beer H. Müller, Abramczik, Fischer COACH: Helmut Schön			POLAND Tomaszewski Maculewicz, Gorgoń, Żmuda, Szymanowski Nawałka, Deyna (c), Masztaler (Kasperczak 84’) Lubański (Boniek 79’), Lato, Szarmach COACH: Jacek Gmoch
GAME SUMMARY West Germany and Poland, two of the best teams in the World Cup of 1974, had declined since then, and offered another unappealing opening match in World Cup history. Few chances were made and, for the fourth time in a row, the tournament began with a goalless draw.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José María Minella (Mar del Plata) DATE: 2-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 42.653 REFEREE: Nicolae Rainea (ROM) GOALS: 0-1 (Lacombe 1’); 1-1 (Rossi 29’); 2-1 (Zaccarelli 54’)
		Italy - France
		2-1 (1-1)
ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Bellugi, Scirea, Cabrini Tardelli, Antognoni (Zaccarelli 46’), Benetti Causio, Rossi, Bettega COACH: Enzo Bearzot			FRANCE Bertrand-Demanes Janvion, Rio, Trésor (c), Bossis Michel, Guillou, Platini Dalger, Lacombe (Berdoll 75’), Six (Rouyer 76’) COACH: Michel Hidalgo
GAME SUMMARY Surprisingly, Italy conceded a very early goal, only 37 seconds after kick-off, when Six hared down the left wing to hit a long cross which Lancombe headed past Zoff. From that moment on, Italy was forced to come out of their traditional defensive game, and outplayed a weakened French team. The equalizer came near the half hour, when Rossi netted in a ball that bounced off the crossbar. In the second half, substitute Zaccarelli gave the lead to Italy with a first-time ground shot that surprised an unsighted French keeper. The Italians established a grip in midfield with Benetti and young Tardelli (who completely subdued Platini). The 20-year-old Cabrini won his first international cap in this game, adding to Italy’s reputation for producing world-class left-backs.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: El Gigante de Arroyito (Rosario) DATE: 2-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 17.396 REFEREE: John Gordon (SCO) GOALS: 0-1 (Vázquez Ayala [p.] 45’); 1-1 (Kaabi 55’); 2-1 (Ghommidh 79’); 3-1 (Dhouib 87’)
		Tunisia - Mexico
		3-1 (0-1)
TUNISIA Naïli Dhouib, Jebali, Kaabi, M. Labidi Ghommidh, Témime (c) (K. Labidi 88’), Ben Rehaiem Akid, Tarak, A. Ben Aziza (Karoui 70’) COACH: Abdelmajid Chetali			MEXICO Reyes Martínez, Tena, Ramos, Vázquez Ayala (c) Mendizábal (Lugo 67’), De la Torre Cuéllar, Isiordia, Rangel, Hugo Sánchez COACH: José Antonio Roca
GAME SUMMARY Tunisia became the first African team to win a match in the final stage of the World Cup after deservedly defeating Mexico in their opening game. The first period was played at high speed, and it was the Central American team who took the lead just before halftime, when Vázquez Ayala converted a penalty awarded for handball by Jebali. In the second half, however, Tunisia exploited the Mexican lack of fitness and came back from behind. The equalizer came when Kaabi was given room to hammer the ball just inside a post. Later, Ghommidh was also unmarked to score the second Tunisian goal from a tight angle on the left. In the last minutes, Dhouib cut in from the right to make it 3-1 from close range.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 2-06-1978 (19:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 71.615 REFEREE: António José da Silva Garrido (POR) GOALS: 0-1 (Csapó 10’); 1-1 (Luque 15’); 2-1 (Bertoni 83’) [Incidents: Törőcsik (min. 87) and Nyilasi (min. 89) were both sent off.]
		Argentina - Hungary
		2-1 (1-1)
ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Ardiles, Gallego, Valencia (Alonso 75’) Houseman (Bertoni 67’), Luque, Kempes COACH: César Luis Menotti			HUNGARY Gujdár Török (Martos 46’), Kocsis, Kereki (c), J. Tóth Pintér, Zombori, Nyilasi Csapó, Törőcsik, Nagy COACH: Lajos Baróti
GAME SUMMARY A snowstorm of blue and white toilet paper, descending through the floodlights, welcomed the players onto the pitch. An early Hungarian goal added to Argentina’s nervousness in their World Cup debut: Fillol didn’t hold Zombori’s shot and Csapó put in the rebound. However, five minutes later the locals equalized in a similar way, after Gujdár failed to block a free kick by Kempes and Luque forced the ball in just before the keeper could reach it again. After that, Argentina started to control the game with a series of bodychecks and minor fouls (except Passarella’s waist-high kick at Pintér), insignificant on their own but building the Hungarian frustration, since the referee let most of them go unpunished. Ironically, it was Hungary’s most skilful players, Törőcsik and Nyilasi, who were sent off near the end for hard tacklings. Just before that, Bertoni had secured the Argentinian victory after netting in a rebound ball.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José Amalfitani (Buenos Aires) DATE: 3-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 40.841 REFEREE: Károly Palotai (HUN) GOALS: 1-0 (Schachner 10’); 1-1 (Dani 21’); 2-1 (Krankl 79’) [Incidents: A minute of silence was observed before kick-off in memory of Santiago Bernabéu, the legendary president of Real Madrid, who died two days before. For this reason, the Spanish players wore black armbands.]
		Austria - Spain
		2-1 (1-1)
AUSTRIA Koncilia Sara (c), Obermayer, Pezzey, Breitenberger Kreuz, Hickersberger (Weber 67’), Prohaska, Jara Schachner (Pirkner 80’), Krankl COACH: Helmut Senekowitsch			SPAIN Miguel Ángel Marcelino, Pirri (c), Migueli, De la Cruz San José, Asensi, Cardeñosa (Leal 46’), Rexach (Quini 60’) Dani, Rubén Cano COACH: Ladislao Kubala
GAME SUMMARY Austria, slight underdogs, opened with a spectacular goal, Schachner running up the right wing, swerving outside his man and beating Miguel Ángel high at his near post. Dani equalized with a low shot that Koncilia should have saved, but near the end the dangerous Krankl (he had scored six goals in a World Cup qualifier against Malta) was quick to sidefoot in a rebound from a Schachner shot.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José María Minella (Mar del Plata) DATE: 3-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 38.618 REFEREE: Clive Thomas (WAL) GOALS: 1-0 (Sjöberg 37’); 1-1 (Reinaldo 45’) [Incidents: In the last minute of the game, Zico scored with a header after a corner kick, but the referee disallowed the goal because he had blown the final whistle while the ball was in the air. After the game, Brazil filed an official protest complaining about Mr. Thomas’ partial refereeing and his premature ending of the match; this protest was later rejected.]
		Sweden - Brazil
		1-1 (1-1)
SWEDEN Hellström Borg, Nordqvist (c), Roy Andersson, Erlandsson Tapper, Linderoth, L. Larsson (Edström 79’), B. Larsson Sjöberg, Wendt COACH: Georg Ericson			BRAZIL Leão Toninho, Oscar, Amaral, Edinho Batista, Toninho Cerezo (Dirceu 80’), Rivellino (c) Gil (Nelinho 68’), Reinaldo, Zico COACH: Cláudio Coutinho
GAME SUMMARY Brazil had replaced the inspiration of old days for the muscle. Unfortunately for them, Rivellino was not the force of old and Zico was completely off form. Sweden dominated the early stages of the match with their physicality and took the lead in minute 37 when the bearded Sjöberg stabbed the ball home after a flick caught the defense square. Brazil was shell-shocked, and they almost found themselves 2-0 down after Lennart Larsson crashed a header against the bar. Fortunately for the South Americans, Reinaldo equalized on the brink of halftime after winning the ball from Toninho Cerezo’s long high cross. Brazil pressed hard in the second half while Sweden seemed content with the tie. The Brazilians could have won the game in injury time, but Zico’s header from a Dirceu corner kick was disallowed by the referee because time had run out while the ball was in the air.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 3-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.927 REFEREE: Ulf Eriksson (SWE) GOALS: 0-1 (Jordan 14’); 1-1 (Cueto 43’); 2-1 (Cubillas 72’); 3-1 (Cubillas 77’) [Incidents: Masson missed a penalty shot (min. 63), saved by Quiroga. After the game, Willie Johnston was tested positive on the antidope control, and he was expelled from the tournament.]
		Peru - Scotland
		3-1 (1-1)
PERU Quiroga Duarte, Manzo, Chumpitaz (c), Díaz Cueto (P. Rojas 82’), Velásquez, Cubillas Muñante, La Rosa (Sotil 62’), Oblitas COACH: Marcos Calderón			SCOTLAND Rough Kennedy, Forsyth, Burns, Buchan Rioch (c) (Gemmill 70’), Masson (Macari 70’), Hartford Dalglish, Jordan, Johnston COACH: Ally MacLeod
GAME SUMMARY Scotland took the lead at the quarter hour mark when Jordan put in a loose ball after Rioch’s shot was saved. But Peru had a very balanced team, with Cubillas and Cueto running the midfield and the duo Muñante-Oblitas as two of the fastest and most dangerous wingers in the tournament. Although the British team was close to make it 2-0 when a lob by Dalglish was saved by Quiroga with his fingertips, the Peruvian one-twos had their reward near halftime when Cueto scored from close range. In the second half, the Scots were thrown a lifeline in the form of a penalty when the referee adjudged that Rioch was brought down by Cubillas, but Masson’s shot was saved by Quiroga. Cubillas scored the decisive winner with a long-range shot, and a few minutes later he clinched the victory for Peru with a free kick which he caressed over the wall with the outside of his foot.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Malvinas Argentinas (Mendoza) DATE: 3-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 33.431 REFEREE: Alfonso González Archundia (MEX) GOALS: 1-0 (Rensenbrink [p.] 40’); 2-0 (Rensenbrink 62’); 3-0 (Rensenbrink [p.] 79’)
		Netherlands - Iran
		3-0 (1-0)
NETHERLANDS Jongbloed Suurbier, Haan, Rijsbergen, Krol (c) Neeskens, Jansen, R. van de Kerkhof (Nanninga 71’) Rep, Rensenbrink, W. van de Kerkhof COACH: Ernst Happel			IRAN Hejazi Eskandarian, Nayeb-Agha, Parvin (c), Sadeghi Nazari, Ghassempour, Kazerani Faraki (Rowshan 52’), Abdollahi, Jahani COACH: Heshmat Mohajerani
GAME SUMMARY Although Holland were not as good as in 1974 (particularly for the absence of Johan Cruijff, who refused to participate in the final stage as a way of protest against the military junta which was in power in Argentina), they were still a very competitive team, and had no problems to defeat an unexperienced squad as Iran, who gave away too many free kicks and conceded two penalties. Rensenbrink scored a hat-trick by taking two penaities (in which he sent the keeper the wrong way) and heading in a cross from the right by René van de Kerkhof.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José María Minella (Mar del Plata) DATE: 6-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 26.533 REFEREE: Ramón Barreto (URU) GOALS: 1-0 (Rossi 34’); 2-0 (Bettega 36’); 3-0 (Benetti 60’); 3-1 (A. Tóth [p.] 81’)
		Italy - Hungary
		3-1 (2-0)
ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Bellugi, Scirea, Cabrini (Cuccureddu 79’) Tardelli, Benetti, Antognoni Causio, Rossi, Bettega (Graziani 84’) COACH: Enzo Bearzot			HUNGARY Mészáros Martos, Kocsis, Kereki (c), J. Tóth Csapó, Pintér, Zombori Pusztai, Fazekas (Halász 46’), Nagy (A. Tóth 46’) COACH: Lajos Baróti
GAME SUMMARY Italy, whose opening victory against France made them confident, dominated the match thanks to the excellent display of Bettega, who scored one goal and hit the woodwork three times. Rossi nabbed a poacher’s goal for the opener after Mészáros couldn’t hold a low shot from Tardelli, and almost immediately Bettega made it 2-0. In the second half, Benetti scored a new goal for Italy thanks to a long-range shot. A questionable penalty after a challenge of Bellugi on Csapó allowed András Tóth to score for Hungary, but it was too late for them to come back.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 6-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.258 REFEREE: Farouk Bouzo (SYR) GOALS: 1-0 (D. Müller 15’); 2-0 (H. Müller 30’); 3-0 (Rummenigge 38’); 4-0 (Flohe 44’); 5-0 (Rummenigge 73’); 6-0 (Flohe 89’)
		FRG - Mexico
		6-0 (4-0)
FRG Maier Vogts (c), Rüßmann, Kaltz, Dietz H. Müller, Bonhof, Flohe D. Müller, Fischer, Rummenigge COACH: Helmut Schön			MEXICO Reyes (Soto 42’) Martínez, Ramos, Tena, Vázquez Ayala (c) Cuéllar, De la Torre, Mendizábal Hugo Sánchez, Rangel, López Zarza (Lugo 46’) COACH: José Antonio Roca
GAME SUMMARY Without playing a spectacular game, Germany thrashed Mexico out of pure stamina. Dieter Müller opened the score with a ground shot, and at the half hour the other Müller, Hansi (no relation to Dieter or the former Gerd Müller) doubled the German advantage with a cross shot. Before halftime, Rummenigge was allowed to run unchallenged into the Mexican area to score, then Flohe made it 4-0 from long range. In the second half, new goals from Rummenigge and Flohe completed the final score.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: El Gigante de Arroyito (Rosario) DATE: 6-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.624 REFEREE: Ángel Franco Martínez (SPA) GOALS: 1-0 (Lato 43’)
		Poland - Tunisia
		1-0 (1-0)
POLAND Tomaszewski Maculewicz, Gorgoń, Żmuda, Szymanowski Nawałka, Deyna (c), Kasperczak Lato, Lubański (Boniek 76’), Szarmach (Iwan 59’) COACH: Jacek Gmoch			TUNISIA Naïli Dhouib, Jebali, Kaabi, M. Labidi Ghommidh, Témime (c), Gasmi, Ben Rehaiem Akid, Tarak COACH: Abdelmajid Chetali
GAME SUMMARY Tunisia, showing that their previous victory against Mexico was no fluke, raised their game and were often the better team, Témime hitting the bar and Żmuda working overtime. But a blunder of the North African defense decided the match: Kaabi missed his kick as the ball dropped over him, and the opportunist Lato volleyed home.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 6-06-1978 (19:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 71.666 REFEREE: Jean Dubach (SWI) GOALS: 1-0 (Passarella [p.] 45+’); 1-1 (Platini 60’); 2-1 (Luque 73’)
		Argentina - France
		2-1 (1-0)
ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Ardiles, Gallego, Valencia (Alonso 61’ (Ortiz 70’)) Houseman, Luque, Kempes COACH: César Luis Menotti			FRANCE Bertrand-Demanes (Baratelli 55’) Battiston, López, Trésor (c), Bossis Bathenay, Michel, Platini Rocheteau, Lacombe, Six COACH: Michel Hidalgo
GAME SUMMARY The return of Bathenay, Battiston and the tousle-haired Rocheteau made France much more competitive, and in many ways they deserved to win this game. Argentina opened the score just before halftime, when the referee awarded a controversial penalty for a hand of Trésor while falling over. Captain Passarella converted the spot kick to the left of the goalkeeper. In the second half, an injury to Bertrand-Demanes, who crashed his spine against a goalpost, brought in Baratelli. Platini equalized when Lacombe’s lob came back off the bar. The game was open on both sides, but it was Argentina who took the lead again thanks to a powerful shot by Luque. Again, the locals escaped with a narrow victory and the general feeling that they had had a favorable refereeing.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José Amalfitani (Buenos Aires) DATE: 7-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 41.424 REFEREE: Charles Corver (NED) GOALS: 1-0 (Krankl [p.] 44’)
		Austria - Sweden
		1-0 (1-0)
AUSTRIA Koncilia Sara (c), Obermayer, Pezzey, Breitenberger Prohaska, Hickersberger, Krieger (Weber 71’), Jara Kreuz, Krankl COACH: Helmut Senekowitsch			SWEDEN Hellström Borg, Nordqvist (c), Roy Andersson, Erlandsson Linderoth (Edström 60’), L. Larsson, B. Larsson Tapper (Torstensson 36’), Sjöberg, Wendt COACH: Georg Ericson
GAME SUMMARY Sweden offered little up front in this game and were again grateful to Hellström, who saved everything Austria threw at him except a penalty awarded when Krankl was brought down by Roy Andersson and converted by the Rapid Vienna attacker. After this win, Austria, quite unexpectedly, were already in the second round.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José María Minella (Mar del Plata) DATE: 7-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 34.771 REFEREE: Sergio Gonella (ITA) GOALS: - [Incidents: In minute 74, Cardeñosa missed an incredible opportunity to score when he received the ball in front of the goal line with no goalkeeper. The Spanish player advanced slowly, perhaps trying to enter the net together with the ball, and when he finally shot Amaral deflected the ball over the line. Eventually, this miss meant the elimination of Spain, and Cardeñosa was a stigmatized player for some time, in what was known as “el increíble fallo de Cardeñosa”.]
		Brazil - Spain
		0-0 (0-0)
BRAZIL Leão (c) Nelinho (Gil 69’), Oscar, Amaral, Edinho Batista, Toninho Cerezo, Dirceu Toninho, Reinaldo, Zico (Jorge Mendonça 83’) COACH: Cláudio Coutinho			SPAIN Miguel Ángel San José, Migueli (Biosca 51’), Olmo, Marcelino Uría (Guzmán 80’), Leal, Asensi (c), Cardeñosa Santillana, Juanito COACH: Ladislao Kubala
GAME SUMMARY Brazil couldn’t perform their usual passing game in a very irregular pitch, and Spain deserved to win this game, especially after Santillana won the ball in a challenge with Leão and Cardeñosa incredibly missed an open goal.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 7-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 7.938 REFEREE: Youssou N’Diaye (SEN) GOALS: 1-0 (Eskandarian [o.g.] 43’); 1-1 (Danaei-Fard 60’)
		Scotland - Iran
		1-1 (1-0)
SCOTLAND Rough Jardine, Donachie, Hartford, Buchan (Forsyth 56’) Burns, Macari, Gemmill (c) Dalglish (Harper 74’), Jordan, Robertson COACH: Ally MacLeod			IRAN Hejazi Danaei-Fard (Nayeb-Agha 89’), Parvin (c), Ghassempour, Sadeghi Nazari, Eskandarian, Jahani Faraki (Rowshan 84’), Abdollahi, Kazerani COACH: Heshmat Mohajerani
GAME SUMMARY Trouble-ridden Scotland (with players involved in wild parties, Willie Johnston expelled after being tested positive for doping, disappointing performance against Peru…) was unable to beat the weak Iranian team and endangered their possibilities to qualify for the next round. Although the Europeans scored the opener on the brink of halftime, thanks to an own goal by Eskandarian, Iran came back strong in the second half and Danaei-Fard equalized after holding off Jardine and beating Rough with a low shot at the near post. Scotland should have been awarded a penalty kick in minute 81, when Nazari fouled Jordan in the Iranian area, but the British team didn’t really deserve to win this game.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Malvinas Argentinas (Mendoza) DATE: 7-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 28.125 REFEREE: Adolf Prokop (GDR) GOALS: -
		Netherlands - Peru
		0-0 (0-0)
NETHERLANDS Jongbloed Suurbier, Rijsbergen, Krol (c), Poortvliet Neeskens (Nanninga 68’), W. van de Kerkhof, Jansen R. van de Kerkhof (Rep 46’), Haan, Rensenbrink COACH: Ernst Happel			PERU Quiroga Duarte, Manzo, Chumpitaz (c), Díaz Cueto, Velásquez, Cubillas Muñante, La Rosa (Sotil 62’), Oblitas COACH: Marcos Calderón
GAME SUMMARY Netherlands seemed content to play out a goalless draw against Peru after their initial victory, maybe showing excessive confidence in their capabilities. The bad news for the “Clockwork Orange” in this game was the injury of Neeskens midway the second half.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José María Minella (Mar del Plata) DATE: 10-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 23.127 REFEREE: Arnaldo César Coelho (BRA) GOALS: 1-0 (López 22’); 2-0 (Berdoll 37’); 2-1 (Zombori 41’); 3-1 (Rocheteau 42’) [Incidents: The game was delayed forty-five minutes over the official kick-off time (the actual starting time was 14:30 h) because both teams had changed their original kit (blue shirt in France, red shirt in Hungary) for their reserve white uniform due to a miscommunication. The French eventually donned the kit of a local team, Club Atletico Kimberley: shirt with white and green stripes, blue shorts, and red socks.]
		France - Hungary
		3-1 (3-1)
FRANCE Dropsy Janvion, Trésor (c), López, Bracci Petit, Bathenay, Papi (Platini 46’) Rocheteau (Six 75’), Berdoll, Rouyer COACH: Michel Hidalgo			HUNGARY Gujdár Martos, Bálint, Kereki (c), J. Tóth Nyilasi, Pintér, Zombori Pusztai, Törőcsik, Nagy (Csapó 73’) COACH: Lajos Baróti
GAME SUMMARY In a game with nothing at stake, since both teams were already eliminated, the French reserves outplayed their Hungarian counterparts. López opened the score with a spectacular long shot, and Berdoll made it 2-0 with a low drive after taking advantage of a mistake by Kereki. Still in the first half, Zombori pulled one back with a long-range shot, and almost immediately Rocheteau knocked in Rouyer’s short cross from the left to make the final 3-1.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 10-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 30.667 REFEREE: César Augusto Orosco (PER) GOALS: -
		FRG - Tunisia
		0-0 (0-0)
FRG Maier Vogts (c), Rüßmann, Kaltz, Dietz Flohe, Bonhof, H. Müller D. Müller, Fischer, Rummenigge COACH: Helmut Schön			TUNISIA Naïli Dhouib, Jebali, Kaabi, M. Labidi Ghommidh, Témime (c), Gasmi, Ben Rehaiem Akid (A. Ben Aziza 82’), Tarak COACH: Abdelmajid Chetali
GAME SUMMARY Although a Tunisian victory would have sent them through into the next stage, they never gave the impression of endangering West Germany’s qualification. Naïli prevented the German victory with some fine saves, but in the end Tunisia deserved the draw and saved the honor of the African teams in the World Cup, after the fiasco of Zaire in the previous edition.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: El Gigante de Arroyito (Rosario) DATE: 10-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 22.651 REFEREE: Jaffar Namdar (IRN) GOALS: 1-0 (Boniek 43’); 1-1 (Rangel 52’); 2-1 (Deyna 56’); 3-1 (Boniek 84’)
		Poland - Mexico
		3-1 (1-0)
POLAND Tomaszewski Szymanowski, Gorgoń, Żmuda, Rudy (Maculewicz 84’) Masztaler, Kasperczak, Deyna (c) Lato, Iwan (Lubański 75’), Boniek COACH: Jacek Gmoch			MEXICO Soto Flores, Cisneros, Gómez, Vázquez Ayala (c) De la Torre, Cuéllar, Cárdenas (Mendizábal 46’) Ortega, Rangel, Hugo Sánchez COACH: José Antonio Roca
GAME SUMMARY Even against a demoralized side with little to offer, Poland had to work hard to earn qualification. The new young star Boniek opened the score just before halftime assisted by Lato, but Rangel equalized early into the second half after netting in a cross from Ortega. Deyna gave the lead to Poland again with a precision shot, and Boniek secured the Polish victory in the last minutes after an individual display.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 10-06-1978 (19:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 71.772 REFEREE: Abraham Klein (ISR) GOALS: 1-0 (Bettega 67’)
		Italy - Argentina
		1-0 (0-0)
ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Bellugi (Cuccureddu 6’), Scirea, Cabrini Tardelli, Antognoni (Zaccarelli 73’), Benetti Causio, Bettega, Rossi COACH: Enzo Bearzot			ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Ardiles, Gallego, Valencia Bertoni, Kempes, Ortiz (Houseman 72’) COACH: César Luis Menotti
GAME SUMMARY Italy confirmed their excellent qualifying stage with a victory against Argentina. Midway the second half, Bettega scored the only goal of the game after exchanging passes with Antognoni and Rossi and shooting past an onrushing Fillol. Argentina couldn’t come back this time as the referee was not as favorable to them as in previous games. Italy set a grip in midfield and Gentile completely neutralized Kempes, and Enzo Bearzot’s team had an easy task supressing the desperate Argentine attacks in the last minutes.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José Amalfitani (Buenos Aires) DATE: 11-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 42.132 REFEREE: Ferdinand Biwersi (FRG) GOALS: 1-0 (Asensi 75’)
		Spain - Sweden
		1-0 (0-0)
SPAIN Miguel Ángel Marcelino, Olmo (Pirri 46’), Biosca, San José Leal, Cardeñosa, Asensi (c), Uría Juanito, Santillana COACH: Ladislao Kubala			SWEDEN Hellström Borg, Roy Andersson, Nordqvist (c), Erlandsson L. Larsson, Nordin, B. Larsson Nilsson, Sjöberg (Linderoth 66’), Edström (Wendt 59’) COACH: Georg Ericson
GAME SUMMARY After playing their best game in the tournament, Spain failed to qualify for the next stage as a result of the Brazilian victory in the other group game. Fifteen minutes from time, Asensi smacked in the only goal from an opening made by Juanito. Too little too late for Spain, who paid dearly for their missed chances to win the previous game against Brazil (that miss by Cardeñosa…). Sweden, after a very defensive game, went also out without glory, making little use of Edström’s height.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: José María Minella (Mar del Plata) DATE: 11-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.221 REFEREE: Robert Wurtz (FRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Roberto Dinamite 40’)
		Brazil - Austria
		1-0 (1-0)
BRAZIL Leão (c) Toninho, Oscar, Amaral, Rodrigues Neto Batista, Toninho Cerezo (Chicão 71’), Dirceu Gil, Roberto Dinamite, Jorge Mendonça (Zico 84’) COACH: Cláudio Coutinho			AUSTRIA Koncilia Sara (c), Obermayer, Pezzey, Breitenberger Hickersberger (Weber 61’), Prohaska, Krieger (Happich 84’), Jara Kreuz, Krankl COACH: Helmut Senekowitsch
GAME SUMMARY Against a team that was already qualified, Brazil offered a little improvement in relation to their previous games. Dirceu provided some leadership in midfield and Roberto Dinamite, bigger and stronger than Reinaldo, cracked in Gil’s long cross when Pezzey left him badly unmarked. Enough for Brazil to qualify, but still so many aspects to improve in their game. With only one minute to go, however, the South Americans had a major scare when Krankl’s shot flew just past the crossbar (should the game have ended 1-1, a draw would have been needed to decide the group’s runner-up between Brazil and Spain).

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 11-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 21.262 REFEREE: Alojzy Jarguz (POL) GOALS: 1-0 (Velásquez 2’); 2-0 (Cubillas [p.] 36’); 3-0 (Cubillas [p.] 39’); 3-1 (Rowshan 41’); 4-1 (Cubillas 79’)
		Peru - Iran
		4-1 (3-1)
PERU Quiroga Duarte, Manzo (Leguía 67’), Chumpitaz (c), Díaz Cueto, Velásquez, Cubillas Muñante, La Rosa (Sotil 60’), Oblitas COACH: Marcos Calderón			IRAN Hejazi Nazari, Abdollahi, Kazerani, Allah-Verdi Sadeghi, Ghassempour, Parvin (c) Rowshan (Fariba 66’), Faraki (Jahani 51’), Danaei-Fard COACH: Heshmat Mohajerani
GAME SUMMARY Peru didn’t wait too long to secure their qualification, and only two minutes into the game Velásquez headed in Muñante’s corner. Any hope of recovery for Iran was extinguished as a result of their weak and unexperienced defense, who conceded two consecutive penalties converted by Cubillas: the first one harshly awarded for a shoulder charge of Nazari on Oblitas and the other when Hejazi brought down Cubillas. But the Asian team didn’t give up, and after Faraki forced a good save from Quiroga, Rowshan scored with a low volley. In the second half, Cubillas completed his hat-trick in this game after dribbling past defenders and the goalkeeper.

GROUP STAGE (FIRST ROUND)
STADIUM: Malvinas Argentinas (Mendoza) DATE: 11-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.130 REFEREE: Erich Linemayr (AUT) GOALS: 0-1 (Rensenbrink [p.] 34’); 1-1 (Dalglish 44’); 2-1 (Gemmill [p.] 47’); 3-1 (Gemmill 68’); 3-2 (Rep 71’) [Incidents: Rensenbrink scored the goal 1,000 in the history of the World Cup.]
		Scotland - Netherlands
		3-2 (1-1)
SCOTLAND Rough Kennedy, Forsyth, Rioch (c), Donachie Hartford, Gemmill, Souness, Buchan Dalglish, Jordan COACH: Ally MacLeod			NETHERLANDS Jongbloed Suurbier, Rijsbergen (Wildschut 44’), Krol (c), Poortvliet Neeskens (Boskamp 10’), Jansen, W. van de Kerkhof Rep, Rensenbrink, R. van de Kerkhof COACH: Ernst Happel
GAME SUMMARY Scotland needed almost a miracle to qualify for the next stage: winning Holland by a difference of three goals. They were close to make it though, especially because the Dutch team sometimes look disinterested in certain games when nothing is at stake. Right from the start, the Scots tried to make the miracle possible: Rioch headed against the bar, Dalglish had a goal disallowed and Jordan might have had a penalty. But Holland is always a lethal team, and Rensenbrink opened the score with a penalty kick awarded after Kennedy fouled Rep. Even in the worst possible scenario, Scotland didn’t give up. Just before halftime, Souness hit a high cross to the far post, where Jordan headed down to the unmarked Dalglish, who volleyed nervelessly past Jongbloed. The second half started positively for Scotland, as Souness was bundled over by Willy van de Kerkhof for a penalty that Gemmill converted. Gemmill again brought the Scottish hope closer with a magnificent goal, after beating two men and pushing the ball between Poortvliet’s legs. But Holland, who’d been going through the motions a little after an early injury to Neeskens, roused themselves to score as if on demand. Running through the middle, Rep hit a long-range shot to the right of the keeper, and that was the end of the dream for Scotland.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 14-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 25.050 REFEREE: John Gordon (SCO) GOALS: 1-0 (Brandts 6’); 2-0 (Rensenbrink [p.] 35’); 3-0 (Rep 36’); 4-0 (Rep 53’); 4-1 (Obermayer 79’); 5-1 (W. van de Kerkhof 82’)
		Netherlands - Austria
		5-1 (3-0)
NETHERLANDS Schrijvers Jansen, Krol (c), Brandts (Van Kraaij 66’), Poortvliet Haan, W. van de Kerkhof, Wildschut Rep, Rensenbrink, R. van de Kerkhof (Schoenaker 60’) COACH: Ernst Happel			AUSTRIA Koncilia Sara (c), Obermayer, Pezzey, Breitenberger Krieger, Prohaska, Hickersberger, Jara Kreuz, Krankl COACH: Helmut Senekowitsch
GAME SUMMARY Although the final scoreline was slightly exaggerated, Holland were expected to win this game and were certainly on top throughout. Brandts was completely unmarked in the far post to head in Haan’s free kick for an early opener, and Jansen was bodychecked by Prohaska for the penalty that Rensenbrink converted to make it 2-0. Some poor Austrian defense let in Rep to lob the third before halftime. In the second half, Rensenbrink presented Rep with an open goal for the fourth. Obermayer saved the Austrian honor with an almost vertical lob that somehow dropped in at the far post, but Willy van de Kerkhof completed the thrashing after being assisted by Rensenbrink.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 14-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 67.547 REFEREE: Dušan Maksimović (YUG) GOALS: -
		FRG - Italy
		0-0 (0-0)
FRG Maier Vogts (c), Rüßmann, Kaltz, Dietz Bonhof, Flohe (Beer 68’), Zimmermann (Konopka 53’) Hölzenbein, Rummenigge, Fischer COACH: Helmut Schön			ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Bellugi, Scirea, Cabrini Tardelli, Benetti, Antognoni (Zaccarelli 46’) Causio, Rossi, Bettega COACH: Enzo Bearzot
GAME SUMMARY With Antognoni outplaying Bonhof in the midfield during the first half, Italy were disappointed not to win this game. Cabrini, again impressive coming forward from his position as left fullback, hit the bar with a cross, and Bettega had goalbound shots blocked by Kaltz and Dietz. On the Geman side, Fischer seemed to be fouled in the area by Bellugi, but the referee dismissed the penalty appeals, and Zoff kept his 38^th international clean sheet, breaking the world record set by Gilmar in the 1966 finals.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Malvinas Argentinas (Mendoza) DATE: 14-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 31.278 REFEREE: Nicolae Rainea (ROM) GOALS: 1-0 (Dirceu 15’); 2-0 (Dirceu 28’); 3-0 (Zico [p.] 73’)
		Brazil - Peru
		3-0 (2-0)
BRAZIL Leão (c) Toninho, Oscar, Amaral, Rodrigues Neto Batista, Toninho Cerezo (Chicão 76’), Dirceu Gil (Zico 70’), Roberto Dinamite, Jorge Mendonça COACH: Cláudio Coutinho			PERU Quiroga Duarte, Manzo, Chumpitaz (c), Díaz (Navarro 11’) Cueto, Velásquez, Cubillas Muñante, La Rosa, Oblitas (P. Rojas 46’) COACH: Marcos Calderón
GAME SUMMARY Peru paid dearly for their soft, almost tackle-free midfield, against a team like Brazil who made the most of their skilful play. Dirceu opened the score at the quarter with a long-range free kick to the right of the Peruvian goal, and extended the Brazilian lead with a ground shot fumbled by Quiroga. Midway the second half, Duarte conceded a penalty by tugging Roberto Dinamite’s shirt. Zico, who’d only just come on, converted from the spot to make it 3-0.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: El Gigante de Arroyito (Rosario) DATE: 14-06-1978 (19:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.091 REFEREE: Ulf Eriksson (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Kempes 16’); 2-0 (Kempes 71’) [Incidents: Deyna missed a penalty shot (min. 39), saved by Fillol.]
		Argentina - Poland
		2-0 (1-0)
ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Ardiles, Gallego, Valencia (Villa 46’) Houseman (Ortiz 83’), Kempes, Bertoni COACH: César Luis Menotti			POLAND Tomaszewski Maculewicz, Żmuda, Kasperczak, Szymanowski Nawałka, Deyna (c), Boniek, Masztaler (Mazur 60’) Lato, Szarmach COACH: Jacek Gmoch
GAME SUMMARY With Luque still out injured, Kempes (the only player Menotti had brought back from Europe) came into his own for Argentina. His first goal was a classic, a perfectly timed diagonal run to meet Bertoni’s left-wing cross with a near-post header. Poland held on, and could have equalized near halftime from the penalty spot after Kempes handled the ball on the line to save Lato’s header. Deyna, on his 100^th international game, shot too close to Fillol, who saved the penalty. Midway the second half, Kempes scored his second goal by dragging the ball past a defender to shoot low past Tomaszewski.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Malvinas Argentinas (Mendoza) DATE: 18-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.288 REFEREE: Patrick Partridge (ENG) GOALS: 1-0 (Szarmach 65’)
		Poland - Peru
		1-0 (0-0)
POLAND Kukla Szymanowski, Gorgoń, Żmuda, Maculewicz Masztaler (Kasperczak 46’), Nawałka, Deyna (c) Lato, Boniek (Lubański 86’), Szarmach COACH: Jacek Gmoch			PERU Quiroga Duarte, Manzo, Chumpitaz (c), Navarro Cueto, Quesada, Cubillas Muñante (P. Rojas 46’), La Rosa (Sotil 74’), Oblitas COACH: Marcos Calderón
GAME SUMMARY Poland kept their chances alive with a victory against the weakest team in the group. Midway the second half, Lato’s cross was met by Szarmach’s diving header, and that was enough for the European team, who also had a post by Deyna. Quiroga helped Peru to avoid more goals, but lived up to his nickname of “El Loco” by getting himself booked for rugby-tackling Lato near the central line.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 18-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 40.750 REFEREE: Ramón Barreto (URU) GOALS: 1-0 (Abramczik 3’); 1-1 (Haan 27’); 2-1 (D. Müller 70’); 2-2 (R. van de Kerkhof 82’) [Incidents: Nanninga was sent off (min. 88).]
		FRG - Netherlands
		2-2 (1-1)
FRG Maier Vogts (c), Rüßmann, Kaltz, Dietz Beer, Bonhof, Hölzenbein Abramczik, D. Müller, Rummenigge COACH: Helmut Schön			NETHERLANDS Schrijvers Poortvliet, Brandts, Krol (c), Wildschut (Nanninga 79’) Jansen, Haan, R. van de Kerkhof W. van de Kerkhof, Rep, Rensenbrink COACH: Ernst Happel
GAME SUMMARY In a replay of the previous World Cup final, Germany and Holland contributed to an exciting match. Abramczik started the action with an early goal after scoring with a diving header following a save by Schrijvers to Bonhof’s free kick. Haan equalized with a powerful long-range shot which left an unsighted Maier standing. In the second half, Dieter Müller headed in a cross by Beer from the left, but René van de Kerkhof rescued the Dutch by cutting inside Kaltz ans swerving the ball round Maier; although the giant blond Rüßmann handled the ball on the line, he couldn’t keep it out. In the dying minutes of the game, Nanninga was sent off for laughing at a referee’s decision. Holland still hadn’t beaten West Germany since 1956, but remained top of the group.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 18-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 66.695 REFEREE: Francis Rion (BEL) GOALS: 1-0 (Rossi 14’)
		Italy - Austria
		1-0 (1-0)
ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Bellugi (Cuccureddu 46’), Scirea, Cabrini Tardelli, Benetti, Zaccarelli Causio, Rossi, Bettega (Graziani 72’) COACH: Enzo Bearzot			AUSTRIA Koncilia Sara (c), Obermayer, Pezzey, Strasser Krieger, Prohaska, Hickersberger, Kreuz Schachner (Pirkner 63’), Krankl COACH: Helmut Senekowitsch
GAME SUMMARY Again Italy were unlucky not to score more goals. The only one they got in this game had some skillful beginnings, but needed a little help in the end: Rossi backheeled to Causio, Strasser intercepted the return pass first but let Rossi nick it away from him and score with a low cross-shot. In minute 76, Pezzey made a saving tackle after Graziani had gone round Koncilia, who four minutes later saved a Cuccureddu shot. With three minutes left, Graziani shot wide when Rossi’s header sent him clear on the right.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: El Gigante de Arroyito (Rosario) DATE: 18-06-1978 (19:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.326 REFEREE: Károly Palotai (HUN) GOALS: -
		Argentina - Brazil
		0-0 (0-0)
ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Bertoni, Ardiles (Villa 46’), Gallego Ortiz (Alonso 60’), Luque, Kempes COACH: César Luis Menotti			BRAZIL Leão (c) Toninho, Oscar, Amaral, Rodrigues Neto (Edinho 36’) Batista, Chicão, Dirceu Gil, Roberto Dinamite, Jorge Mendonça (Zico 67’) COACH: Cláudio Coutinho
GAME SUMMARY Arch-rivals Argentina and Brazil re-lived their passionate duels in a match with no goals but plenty of hard tackling. The first ten minutes of the game already showed the intentions of both teams, with as many as seventeen fouls. Ardiles was the best man for Argentina in the first half, but his punished ankles didn’t let him continue in the second half. In the end, both teams were satisfied with the tie, which left them with the same open chances to qualify for the final.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Olímpico “Chateau Carreras” (Córdoba) DATE: 21-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 38.318 REFEREE: Abraham Klein (ISR) GOALS: 0-1 (Rummenigge 19’); 1-1 (Vogts [o.g.] 59’); 2-1 (Krankl 66’); 2-2 (Hölzenbein 68’); 3-2 (Krankl 88’)
		Austria - FRG
		3-2 (0-1)
AUSTRIA Koncilia Sara (c), Obermayer, Pezzey, Strasser Prohaska, Krieger, Hickersberger Schachner (Oberacher 71’), Kreuz, Krankl COACH: Helmut Senekowitsch			FRG Maier Vogts (c), Kaltz, Rüßmann, Dietz Bonhof, Beer (H. Müller 46’), Hölzenbein Abramczik, D. Müller (Fischer 60’), Rummenigge COACH: Helmut Schön
GAME SUMMARY Before the game started, the chances of West Germany to qualify for the final were very low because, in addition to needing a favorable result in the other match between Holland and Italy, they had to win their game by four goals. Instead, they lost to Austria for the first time since 1931. The beginning of the game was promising for the Germans, after Rummenigge converted Dieter Müller’s pass midway the first half, but a second half own goal by their captain Vogts put an end to their remote chances. Krankl regained his goal touch and gave the lead to Austria with a glorious volley, but almost immediately Hölzenbein equalized by heading in Bonhof’s free kick. In the last minutes, Krankl earned a useless victory for Austria with a cool dribble.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 21-06-1978 (13:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 67.433 REFEREE: Ángel Franco Martínez (SPA) GOALS: 0-1 (Brandts [o.g.] 18’); 1-1 (Brandts 50’); 2-1 (Haan 75’)
		Netherlands - Italy
		2-1 (0-1)
NETHERLANDS Schrijvers (Jongbloed 21’) Brandts, Krol (c), Haan, Poortvliet Neeskens, Jansen, W. van de Kerkhof R. van de Kerkhof, Rep (Van Kraaij 65’), Rensenbrink COACH: Ernst Happel			ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Cuccureddu, Scirea, Cabrini Tardelli, Benetti (Graziani 77’), Zaccarelli Causio (C. Sala 46’), Rossi, Bettega COACH: Enzo Bearzot
GAME SUMMARY Holland needed only a draw to qualify for the final, but Italy made it very difficult for them during most of the game. The Italians, forced to win this match, forgot their usual defensive style and took the initiative from the beginning. In the first quarter, Rossi headed over the bar and Bettega shot wide when clear on the left. Then Benetti sent Bettega through and Brandts came from behind to knock the ball past Schrijvers, who was injured in the collision and had to be replaced. Italy continued to create chances throughout the first half, but after a yellow card shown to Benetti, which would keep him out of the final, Italy’s spirit seemed to drain away with him. In the second half, Brandts redeemed himself for his earlier own goal and equalized with a ferocious 20-meter shot. After this, Holland was in charge, and a long-range shot by Haan sealed the Dutch place in the final. Italy, after a promising start in the tournament, couldn’t keep the pace in the end and also missed two of their best men, Antognoni and Bellugi, both of them ruled out by injury.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: Malvinas Argentinas (Mendoza) DATE: 21-06-1978 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 39.586 REFEREE: Juan Silvagno (CHI) GOALS: 1-0 (Nelinho 12’); 1-1 (Lato 45’); 2-1 (Roberto Dinamite 57’); 3-1 (Roberto Dinamite 63’)
		Brazil - Poland
		3-1 (1-1)
BRAZIL Leão (c) Nelinho, Oscar, Amaral, Toninho Batista, Toninho Cerezo (Rivellino 75’), Dirceu Gil, Roberto Dinamite, Zico (Jorge Mendonça 7’) COACH: Cláudio Coutinho			POLAND Kukla Maculewicz, Gorgoń, Żmuda, Szymanowski Boniek, Nawałka, Deyna (c), Kasperczak (Lubański 64’) Lato, Szarmach COACH: Jacek Gmoch
GAME SUMMARY Twelve minutes into the game, Nelinho put Brazil closer to the final with a free kick that seared past Kukla. But Poland didn’t give up and Lato restored their hope just before halftime by exploiting some chaos in the penalty area. In the second half, the “explosive” Roberto Dinamite came to the rescue of Brazil with two goals: first he knocked in the rebound after Jorge Mendonça hit a post, then he did almost the same for the second (except that the Polish woodwork had been hit three times before by Jorge Mendonça, Gil and Dirceu). Dirceu, with his excellent left foot, had another good game. Zico, after a disappointing tournament, had to leave the game early on due to injury.

GROUP STAGE (SECOND ROUND)
STADIUM: El Gigante de Arroyito (Rosario) DATE: 21-06-1978 (19:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.326 REFEREE: Robert Wurtz (FRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Kempes 21’); 2-0 (Tarantini 43’); 3-0 (Kempes 49’); 4-0 (Luque 50’); 5-0 (Houseman 67’); 6-0 (Luque 72’)
		Argentina - Peru
		6-0 (2-0)
ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Larrosa, Gallego (Oviedo 85’), Kempes Bertoni (Houseman 64’), Luque, Ortiz COACH: César Luis Menotti			PERU Quiroga Duarte, Manzo, Chumpitaz (c), R. Rojas Cueto, Velásquez (Gorriti 51’), Quesada Muñante, Cubillas, Oblitas COACH: Marcos Calderón
GAME SUMMARY Irregularly, the game started after the match between Brazil and Poland was finished, so the hosts knew they had to win by a difference of three or more goals to qualify for the final. Kempes, the man of the moment, opened the count by going past Manzo before he scored. Argentina kept pushing, but could only score one more goal before halftime, when Tarantini knocked in a header from a corner. Early into the second half, Kempes again volleyed the third after an exchange of passes in the area, and that was the goal Argentina needed to get rid of all their nerves. Almost immediately, Luque headed in on the goal line an assist from Passarella to make it 4-0. With the Argentinian fans already celebrating the qualification of their team, Houseman added one more goal with a first touch and Luque crashed in the sixth after Larrosa stole the ball from a defender. This victory prevented Brazil, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, from reaching the final. After the match, there were some accusations of corruption and bribery raised in Brazil, claiming that Quiroga, a naturalized Argentinian, had helped out the country where he was born.

PLACES 3-4
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 24-06-1978 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 69.659 REFEREE: Abraham Klein (ISR) GOALS: 0-1 (Causio 38’); 1-1 (Nelinho 64’); 2-1 (Dirceu 72’) BOOKED: Nelinho (35’), Batista (44’) / Gentile (72’)
		Brazil - Italy
		2-1 (0-1)
BRAZIL Leão (c) Nelinho, Oscar, Amaral, Rodrigues Neto Batista, Toninho Cerezo (Rivellino 64’), Dirceu Gil (Reinaldo 46’), Roberto Dinamite, Jorge Mendonça COACH: Cláudio Coutinho			ITALY Zoff (c) Gentile, Scirea, Cuccureddu, Cabrini P. Sala, Antognoni (C. Sala 78’), Maldera, Causio Rossi, Bettega COACH: Enzo Bearzot
GAME SUMMARY Liberated from the pressure of recent games, Brazil were finally allowed to play like Brazil, and even Italy matched them in a pleasing game. Causio opened the score before halftime after heading in from close range a cross by Rossi. In the second half, Nelinho swerved an incredible shot round Zoff from the right-hand corner of the penalty box, and Dirceu volleyed into the same spot.

FINAL
STADIUM: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) DATE: 25-06-1978 (15:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 71.483 REFEREE: Sergio Gonella (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Kempes 38’); 1-1 (Nanninga 82’); 2-1 (Kempes 105’); 3-1 (Bertoni 116’) BOOKED: Ardiles (40’) / Krol (15’), Suurbier (94’), Poortvliet (96’)
		Argentina - Netherlands
		3-1 (1-0;1-1)
ARGENTINA Fillol Olguín, L. Galván, Passarella (c), Tarantini Ardiles (Larrosa 65’), Gallego, Kempes Bertoni, Luque, Ortiz (Houseman 74’) COACH: César Luis Menotti			NETHERLANDS Jongbloed Jansen (Suurbier 72’), Krol (c), Brandts, Poortvliet Neeskens, W. van de Kerkhof, Haan R. van de Kerkhof, Rep (Nanninga 59’), Rensenbrink COACH: Ernst Happel
GAME SUMMARY The preliminaries of the game were surrounded by the controversial decision of keeping the Israeli referee Abraham Klein, originally appointed by FIFA for the final, out of it, after the Argentinians disputed this appointment. The tension between Argentina and Holland built up when the local squad made the visitors wait for more than five minutes on the pitch, and then suddenly questioned the legality of a plaster cast on René van de Kerkhof's wrist. The Dutch felt they were playing not only against a hostile crowd, but also a partial refereeing, and vented their spleen with hard early tackles on Bertoni and Ardiles. When the game settled down, Holland started to exploit Argentina’s vulnerability in the air, with Rep coming twice close to scoring: first he rose unopposed to Haan’s free kick only to head wide, then he cushioned a dreadful defensive header on his thigh before forcing a marvellous save by Fillol. The Argentinian goalkeeper was one of the key players for his team in this match, keeping the Dutch attacks at bay. The other key player, of course, was the in-form Kempes. The Valencia CF star opened the score before halftime after bursting between two defenders and stabbing the ball under Jongbloed on a carpet of torn toilet tissue. The movement had begun with Ardiles running past two men. Holland dominated the second half, but were frustrated by endless handballs, which were unpunished by the Italian referee. Near the end the towering Nanninga, who had substituted a very unfortunate Rep, headed the equalizer from René van de Kerkhof’s right-wing cross. It looked like the Dutch threw away their chances to win the final when, in injury time at the end of regulation, Rensenbrink reached Krol’s long free kick deep in the left-hand side of the penalty area and prodded it past Fillol, but the ball hit the near post. In extra-time, Kempes stormed through again, beating two men, and, although Jongbloed saved at his feet, the ball bounced off the Argentinian attacker, who pushed it in as two more defenders collided in front of him. Near the end, Bertoni sealed the local victory after another cavalry charge and another lucky bounce. Holland became the first team in the history of the competition to lose consecutive finals, each time against the hosts. The Argentinian captain, Passarella, received the World Cup trophy from the hands of dictator Jorge Videla, in a sad reminder of the political atmosphere around the tournament, with thousands of missing, murdered and tortured disidents in Argentina.

© www.linguasport.com

Website designed and maintained by Santiago Velasco