Rant about football

Note to all football fans throughout the ages: the best World Cup finals all happened in the 1970s, not necessarily in terms of quality of football but the shear cool factor of the tournaments of 1970, 1974 and 1978 make this decade unbeatable in terms of world cup folklore. I’ll deal with ‘70 and ‘74 all in good time, but ‘78 has to go down in history as the most infamous tournament of any sport ever. Given that South America and Europe have fairly evenly shared out World Cup wins, it seems inconceivable that 1978 was the last time that South America hosted the tournament and that run would be likely to continue for a lot longer were Sepp Blatter not a complete moron of a man.

Ally’s Tartan Army

Could an even better Holland team than 1974, even without Johan Cruyff (who had received death threats), fail to win? Was there anyone in the World who didn’t realise that the Argentine team was on performance enhancing drugs? Did Scotland underachieve with their best team ever? How damn cool was this tournament, despite the slums of Buenos Aires being walled up to prevent journalists learning what was going on in the country at the time (slum dwellers stole the bricks during the night for impromptu home improvements) and countless assassinations of officials, journalists and everyday citizens being thrown out of planes into the River Plate just to ensure that the tournament went ahead. This, boys and girls, was the mother of all World Cups.

The Final: Pre-kickoff

Once again, the Dutch found themselves facing the hosts in the World Cup Final, and this time their task, in psychological terms at least, was even harder. The Argentinean supporters, fanatical in the extreme, perhaps under pain of death in some cases, had been worth an extra player during the early matches and were now probably worth a goal start for the home side. In different circumstances, this might have put their team under intolerable pressure, but the opening games had gone well for them, and the Argentinean team were making home advantage work for them in a way even the West Germans in 1974 hadn’t managed. Maybe it was having a fanatical military junta watching every game, waiting for a reason to pop you off at the first opportunity. Who knows for sure?

Argentina 6-0 Peru: The drug match

Back to the drugs: Their passage to the Final will always be tainted by the manner of their second phase triumph over Brazil. The arrangement of the deciding game against Peru to not kick-off until after Brazil had played Poland in their final game meant that they had a blatantly unfair advantage over their opponents, an advantage they flagrantly abused. That a strong Peru team, among the pre-tournament favourites, contrived to lose 6-0 in that game has had tongues wagging for over 30 years, and while that controversy will never go away, the real injustice was the timetabling of the game. FIFA abolished the unloved four-team groups in the second phase after 1978 (replacing them with an even worse three-team group system for 1982, in which one team always arrived in the third game needing only to draw), but in truth it was not the four-team group system itself that stood discredited, just the scheduling.

Frank Bough presents World Cup Grandstand

Let’s not forget, though begrudgingly, that Argentina were a pretty good football team at the time. Strong in defence, where big Daniel Passarella ruled, they were also flamboyant in attack, Luque leading the line as well as any centre-forward in the tournament, and formidable in midfield, where they not only boasted one of the world’s all-time greatest players in Osvaldo Ardiles, but also the prodigiously talented Mario Kempes, without doubt the star of the 1978 World Cup. The Dutch included seven of the side who had memorably defeated Argentina 4-0 in Gelsenkirchen four years earlier. For Argentina, Kempes had played as a substitute in that game, whereas only René Houseman, a sub himself today, had figured in the starting line-up.

Really cool logo

The game started as it meant to go on, amid hullabaloo and poor sportsmanship. With the crowd in the ‘Monumental’, as the River Plate stadium was nicknamed, whipped up to a crescendo, the Dutch strolled onto the field, casually and in ragged formation, as was their wont. Fully five minutes later, no doubt in a premeditated move, the Argentineans strode on, to a deafening reception, and into the hall of football notoriety. It got worse. The carefully orchestrated protests about the plaster protecting the broken bone in René van de Kerkhof’s wrist were a rudimentary and contemptuous attempt at gamesmanship. That the referee entertained such complaints was weak enough, that he upheld them was ludicrous because the injury dated back to the penalty René had won against Iran, and he’d worn the plaster in every game since then, without objection. Surely any legitimate concerns should have been voiced to FIFA before the game? The kick-off was further delayed while the Dutchman put another bandage over the first one, a move of no benefit to other players’ safety, but the damage had been done to the Dutch team’s collective focus; at one point, it had looked as if they were about to walk off and they probably should have. This insipid piece of refereeing set the scene for what was to follow. The Italian referee was, frankly, shocking, and the linesmen, both international referees of substantial reputation, were, as linesmen, almost unbelievably bad, and it appeared all the bad decisions went Argentina’s way.

The great goal by Archie Gemmell against Holland

When the game started, it was brutal beyond probability. Poortvliet clattered into Daniel Bertoni, then Haan fouled Ardiles, and Américo Gallego squared up to Neeskens in the mêlée which followed. The Dutch were angry, and didn’t trouble to disguise it, the Argentinians, as ever, more than ready for any physical confrontation, with the hysterical crowd on their side and the referee utterly unable to exert authority. When people criticize FIFA’s sporadic clampdowns on discipline in the 1980s and 1990s, the obligatory yellow cards and lack of discretion allowed to individual referees, just ask them to watch a film of this game, if it can be called that. Had it been played according to contemporary rules, it would probably have been abandoned.

In those days, the tackle from behind was not so much tolerated as almost compulsory and the Dutch, in common with most of the northern European teams, regarded a two-footed challenge as fair as long as the ball was somewhere in view; the Argentineans, like all South Americans, saw it as a crime. Nevertheless the cynical, off-the-ball tripping and elbowing so popular among the Latin nations at the time were anathema to the Dutch, and the diving, which had consistently infuriated Argentina’s opponents throughout the competition, would have been pitiful had it not proved so effective at winning free-kicks from a succession of purportedly experienced referees who should without doubt have been less gullible. Neither hemisphere really understood the other’s footballing mindset, but the efforts FIFA have since made to standardise the interpretation of the rules worldwide can perhaps be fully appreciated only in the framework of culture clashes like the World Cup Final of 1978.

Very cool poster from the 1978 Argentina World Cup

The Dutch had the better of the early exchanges, Rep heading past the post when an early goal might have set the game up for a very different ending. Though Passarella got on the end of a dangerous cross, the Dutch defence looked as if they weren’t unduly troubled. Wim Jansen’s cross from the right was terribly misjudged by the Argentinian defenders, presenting Rep with another gilt-edged opportunity, but Ubaldo Fillol, one of the least celebrated of the home side’s players, rose to the occasion and saved splendidly. The Argentinians steadied themselves, and gradually came back into the game. Bertoni allegedly broke the Dutch offside trap, but missed the target badly, and Passarella had a good header scrambled clear by the alert Jongbloed. The Argentineans took the lead in the last few minutes of the first period. From one of many disputed throw-ins awarded to the hosts, Ardiles, using his low centre of gravity to keep control of the ball in the jungle of midfield, started the move, evaded two tackles, and fed Luque. The mustachioed striker cut the ball inside to Kempes, who took it deftly in his stride and ran the ball past Jongbloed.

Ardiles was cautioned shortly after, for an incident involving an attempted mugging of René van de Kerkhof. That the diminutive, dignified midfielder was the first Argentinean name in the referee’s notebook was ridiculous: his part in the affair was negligible, and throughout his conduct was uniquely sportsmanlike. Yet straight away a blatant hand-ball by Luis Galván went without punishment, added evidence of the referee’s underperformance. As the half ended, Passarella again found himself unmarked at a free-kick to cause more consternation in the Dutch defence, then Neeskens headed Willy van de Kerkhof’s cross down to Rensenbrink, only for Fillol to save again, this time with his feet. The scoreline apart, it was anyone’s game.

Win at all costs

The second half was a different game altogether, much more open, the Dutch pressing strongly, and the Argentineans always eager to press home on the counter-attack. It seemed more goals were imminent, but at which end? René van de Kerkhof laid the ball back into Haan’s path, but the shot was deflected wide. Haan also saved the Dutch at the other end, when Argentina took a quick free-kick while – not for the first time – the rest of the orange-shirted players were arguing with the referee. Another long shot, by Haan again, was well saved by Fillol. Bertoni broke through, and squared the ball to the unmarked Luque, but Jongbloed did just enough to put him off. Happel played his final cards, bringing on Nanninga for Rep and Suurbier for the flagging Jansen. Having tried the slick interpassing way of getting through the Argentinian defence, the Dutch were now adopting a strategy of power in the air and raw brute force, as central defender Brandts was also pushed right forward, the experienced Suurbier filling in the gap in the defence. Argentina in turn brought on Omar Larrosa for the half-fit Ardiles, and Houseman for the hard-running but somewhat ineffective left-winger Oscar Ortiz.

The quality of the game did not improve. Another awful foul by Passarella was ignored by the referee, then Willy van de Kerkhof illegally held back Kempes, who had surely been offside anyway. Even by the standards of this game, the foul on Neeskens just outside the box by Galván was shocking; still no action was taken. And the free-kick was wasted. Alberto Tarantini hauled Neeskens down, Nanninga was fouled off the ball, again no yellow card, then Krol was booked for tripping Bertoni amid a chorus of Argentinian protests. With time fast running out, the equaliser arrived, a moment of real magic. The industrious Poortvliet capitalised on a wild clearance by the desperate Tarantini, found Haan in space centre field, and he in turn spotted that René van de Kerkhof out on the right wing had been untypically neglected by the outrushing defence. The cross on the run was perfect for Nanninga, who rose majestically to beat a couple of off-balance defenders and head home.

Before too much longer, with a certain inevitability, Neeskens was punched to the ground by Passarella, with the referee unsighted, and the lengthy stoppage ensured the game was bound for extra-time. Yet it could have been even better for Holland: Krol’s hammer-blow of a free-kick found its way through to Rensenbrink, the Argentinean defence mesmerised. Though off-balance, Rensenbrink still had enough composure to turn the ball past Fillol, and, apparently, into the unguarded net. Somehow the ball was deflected, onto the post, and away to safety. Whether the debris that had been strewn across the pitch had played a key part, or whether the Hand of God had made a save, who could tell? Players from both teams afterwards confirmed that the ball seemed to all intents and purposes to be as good as in, yet it stayed out. Perhaps, at that moment, the Dutch realised it wouldn’t be their day after all.

Brilliant orange

Extra time is always a difficult thing to predict. Sometimes the team which has just scored has an inexorable advantage, sometimes a side who has been hanging on for the whistle at the end of 90 minutes comes out for the extra 30 with renewed energy for no perceptible reason. Whatever hexes the Argentinean Coach Menotti weaved, his side, which had looked visibly deflated when the Dutch equalised, came out with an increased dynamism, and began playing football again.

Bertoni went down from a Suurbier challenge: if it wasn’t actually a dive, it certainly hadn’t been the worst foul seen today, but Larrosa attacked Suurbier with such ferocity he was lucky only to be cautioned. A minute later, the same Argentinian committed an awful, scything foul on Poortvliet, but escaped further censure. Poortvliet brought Kempes down from behind, and the referee quickly found the notebook he’d obviously been looking for over the previous couple of minutes. And, in amongst the spate of fouls and squabbling, Houseman found himself through on goal, only to be thwarted by Jongbloed. It was a warning the Dutch didn’t heed.

Watch Frank Bough and the intro theme to World Cup Grandstand (6mb)

Kempes, increasingly the dominant force in the game, attacked the Dutch defence, rode two tackles to give himself a chance. Jongbloed threw himself at the striker’s feet, but Kempes managed one final touch before going down. The ball bounced agonisingly over the line, with Poortvliet and Suurbier trying gallantly to clear, but to no avail. All credit to the worthy Kempes, any of his team-mates would have hit the ground and claimed a penalty, and probably got it, but his performance on this day was worthy of winning any match, and this moment, which essentially won the World Cup for Argentina, epitomised it.

In the second overtime period, the game was just about on the brink of anarchy. Larrosa fouled Haan, who in turn brought Luque down, and it took several minutes to persuade Luque to get to his feet. Houseman carved out for himself another chance, but shot against the side netting, then Luque burst past Krol, and was denied by Jongbloed. With the game stretched at both ends, Kempes ran riot again, and, the third goal owed as much to his talent as had the previous two. He ran boldly into the danger area, as ever, tried to play a one-two with Bertoni, a defender intervened, and Bertoni appeared to use a hand to get the ball under control again, a foul spotted by everybody in the world except Signor Gonella. Jongbloed’s attempt at a dive looked like a man who expected the whistle to blow, or possibly just a man who realised the game was up. Anyway, Bertoni’s shot hit the back of the net, and the referee ignored the Dutch remonstrations. It was not the first decision that had gone Argentina’s way, but it ended any hope the Dutch might have had.

The sight of Passarella being presented with the World Cup by Jorge Videla, head of the military junta which ruled Argentina at that time, was an apposite note on which to end a game that had always been exciting but never pleasing, and indeed the tournament, which had always been interesting but not fulfilling.

Consequently Argentina were crowned World Champions for the first time, and the party began in the streets of Buenos Aires, but few outside the country celebrated with them. Would they have won the World Cup had it not been held in their own country? Some commentators have stressed they wouldn’t have got past Hungary, France and Italy in the first phase, let alone overcome Holland, had the competition been held in Europe, or refereed with a bit more resoluteness.

The Final

The Germans of 1974, in contrast to this tournament’s hosts, had enjoyed home advantage, exploited it even, but had stopped short of abusing it. They may not have been loved, but they were respected. Holland may have deserved to win in 1974, but had only their own mistakes to blame for their failure. However, in 1978 it always seemed that something more menacing was afoot, as if not everyone was playing by the same rules.

Of course, every team that plays at home is likely to get the benefit of some refereeing decisions, whether playing in the World Cup or in the Sunday League, and all opinions offered about match officials will always be personal and subjective. In Argentina, it is by and large accepted that the Holland team of 1978 was simply too long in the tooth to cope with the burden of extra time, and that on its own explains the end result. And, if the tournament had actually been “fixed”, no doubt some irrefutable evidence would have come to light by now, so it seems reasonable to say that the result wasn’t actually preordained. But, during this World Cup, Argentina seemed to get the benefit of every decision, on and off the field, from beginning to end. Not the result of a fix, maybe, but many people, especially outside the game, did have an interest in securing a triumph for the home side, and anyone who knows the game must concede that the favouritism shown them by match officials and bureaucrats alike was remarkable. These two observations, taken together, will always prevent Argentina’s triumph from receiving the world-wide acclaim its people would maintain it deserves.

Ticker Tape Heaven, or Hell

Argentina were a really good team, but just how good we’ll never know, and that’s their own fault. Their palpable resolve to win at any cost to their reputation will always mean that, having succeeded, the triumph must be put into that context, must always be qualified by dark accusations which, if they can never be substantiated, can never be disproved either, and won’t go away. It’s just the price you have to pay.

Football in general, and the World Cup in particular, continued its decline for several years. The abiding memories of 1982 will always be Harald Schumacher’s unpunished challenge on France’s Patrick Battiston, and Germany’s shameful, wretched 1-0 win against Austria, while 1986 will be remembered for Maradona’s ‘Hand of God‘ cheating rather than as a triumph for the truly world-class Argentina team which he led to victory. It wasn’t until 1990, when Argentina and Germany played out an atrocity of a football match in the Final, that FIFA decided they had to act to clean the game up. If they had done so in 1978, the World Cup Final of that year might at least have served some useful purpose.

As for Holland, Jongbloed and Suurbier would not play international football again, nor would Rijsbergen, injured against Scotland. But their team had again done the nation proud, and written another glorious chapter in the history of the game. Again, their failure would perhaps become more celebrated than winning the World Cup could have been.

The kits of 1978