RadioProfile | Argentina national team: this is how the first World Cup was won

On June 25, 1978, the Argentine National Team won the World Cup for the first time.

The team led by César Luis Menotti prevailed over the Netherlands in an unforgettable final that was played at the Monumental Stadium, and was defined in extra time.

The 1978 World Cup in Argentina was involved in all kinds of controversies due to the political context that the country was going through, discussions that deepened with the passage of time.

Argentina had been chosen as the venue in 1966 and two years before the start of the tournament, on March 24, 1976, the constitutional government was overthrown by the coup that installed the civic-military dictatorship headed by Jorge Rafael Videla in power. .

The self-styled National Reorganization Process gave top priority to the organization of the World Cup with the aim of obtaining international support and covering up the massive violations of human rights, the same ones that were denounced abroad.

Despite generating an attempt at an international movement to prevent the World Cup from being held in Argentina, it was the then president of FIFA Joao Havelange who played a fundamental role in its implementation.

As for the strictly sporting aspect, the Argentine National Team found itself undergoing the tactical and strategic renewal proposed by César Luis Menotti, who had traveled the country looking for new talents to form a federal team.

Argentina debuted with a win against Hungary, qualified by beating Platini’s France and closed the first stage losing to Italy.

The second phase was made up of two zones of four teams and the first ones would advance to the grand final. Argentina beat Poland with two goals from Kempes at the Gigante de Arroyito but complicated their chances by drawing 0-0 against Brazil, extending the definition to the last game.

Despite Brazilian pressure, FIFA arranged for Argentina to play its match against Peru after Brazil did so against Poland, giving the host the sporting advantage of knowing the result they would need to be a finalist.

Brazil defeated Poland and Argentina had to beat Peru by four goals to advance. Finally, the Albiceleste prevailed 6-0, again in Rosario, in a game suspected of pressure and bribery from the Argentine dictatorship on the Peruvian delegation.

Argentina played the 78 World Cup Final against the Netherlands, which came from being runner-up in the World Cup with its legendary team known as “Clockwork Orange”.

Under a shower of pieces of paper at the Monumental Stadium, a historic reception initiated as an act of rebellion by the comedian Caloi in his character “Clemente”, Argentina took the lead with a great goal from Mario Alberto Kemes.

In an intense final, with many infringements, and outstanding saves by Ubaldo Matildo Fillol, the Netherlands spoiled the Argentine party with Dick Nanninga’s scoring header eight minutes from time.

The match would end tied after a dramatic action just after the last regulatory minute. Rob Rensenbrink surprised the Argentine defense and smashed his left foot into the post.

The stick saved Argentina in a situation that not even the dictatorship could prevent, and led the definition to extension.

The National Team would end up prevailing in extra time. Mario Alberto Kempes, figure of the tournament, scored his second goal in the match

Finally Daniel Bertoni, after another powerful attack by Kempes, would have the final 3-1 that would consecrate the Argentine National Team as world champion for the first time

On June 25, 1978, the Argentine National Team won the World Cup for the first time.

The story is also news on Radio Perfil. Script by Nicolás Ziccardi and locution by Pita Fortín.