The 1978 FIFA World Cup final was a football match played to determine the winner of the 1978 FIFA World Cup. It contested by teams from the Netherlands and the host country of Argentina on 25 June 1978 at Argentina's largest stadium, the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match was won by the Argentine team in extra time by a score of 3–1. Mario Kempes, who finished as the tournament's top scorer, was named the man of the match. The Netherlands team lost their second consecutive World Cup final, both times to the host nation, after losing to West Germany in 1974.
The start of the final was mired in controversy, as the Dutch accused the Argentines of using stalling tactics to delay the match, causing tension to build in front of a hostile Buenos Aires crowd. The host team eventually emerged five minutes late after the audience was whipped into a frenzy. The Argentines also questioned the legality of a plaster cast on René van de Kerkhof's wrist, although he had worn it for earlier games without objections, causing the Dutch to threaten to leave he pitch. The Italian referee, Sergio Gonella, upheld the complaints and forced Van de Kerkhof to apply extra bandage.[1][2][3] In retaliation, the Netherlands team refused to attend the post-match ceremonies.[4]
The match itself saw a number of fouls and a hostile atmosphere, and ticker tape and confetti landed on he pitch. Mario Kempes scored the first goal, slotting under Jan Jongbloed from 12 yards out. The Netherlands almost equalised when Rob Rensenbrink received a headed pass from René van de Kerkhof, but the shot was blocked by the boot of goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol. The Dutch eventually equalised the score when van de Kerkhof's cross found substitute Dick Nanninga, who kicked the ball into the goal. The Dutch had a chance to win the final minutes of the match when Rensenbrink kicked a long shot past Fillol, but the shot bounced off the post and the match went to extra time. Kempes netted the eventual winner in the 105th minute after running into the box, evading two Dutch sliding tackles as he did so. Kempes' shot was saved by Jongbloed and Kempes jumped to avoid him, but the ball bounced off of Jongbloed and hit Kempes twice, first in the knee, then in the foot, before bouncing off of Jongbloed's head, all before Kempes had even landed. The ball bounced high in the air, and two Dutch defenders came rushing to clear the ball from the open goal. Although the goal was officially awarded to Kempes, the replay angle from behind the goal showed that it might have been an own goal last touched by Wim Suurbier before entering the net.[citation needed]
Daniel Bertoni sealed the game in the second half of extra time after Kempes made a long run into the box and was tackled by a Dutch defender. The ball ricocheted several times before landing at the feet of Bertoni, who had a clear sight of the goal inside the box. The ricochets left Jongbloed out of position, allowing Bertoni to score.. easily.[5]
Hungary
Iran
France
Peru
Italy
Scotland
Poland
Austria
Brazil
West Germany
