The last World Cup with 16 teams. Finally, FIFA has deigned to give an organization to a country that demanded it decades before, and to a country that has given so much to football. But Argentina has historically been against FIFA and the World Cup. When he enjoyed his golden generation, in the 40s, the war canceled the cups in 1942 and 1946. He was a source of talent and would have had a very good chance of winning. There was always but… Until 1978 he embraced that fame that was so elusive. It was not easy for him.

As with any home team, an easier draw was expected, but no home team has been through such pitfalls so far. He fell into a formidable group: mighty Italy, who beat him to win the next World Cup; The France of Platini, Lacombe, Rocheteau, Bossis, Battiston, Six, Tressor… and the last strong Hungary after the Magic Hungarians. And since then he had to deal with Poland that blinded Germany, that of Lato, Szarmach, Deyna, Zmuda, Tomaszewski. And before Brazil with Zico, Dirceu, Batista and other guitarists. Then before Peru full of figures like Cubillas, Cueto, Velásquez, Oblitas, Muñante… Although he was caught tired and already eliminated. And in the final, a huge amount of play and character from the Netherlands, who had won the title four years earlier, without being inferior to Germany.

In 1974, Rinus Michels’ Clockwork Orange handed Argentina two memorable defeats in the space of thirty days: 4-1 in Amsterdam (a friendly) and 4-0 in Gelsenkirchen (already in the World Cup). Now he introduced eight of those who danced a la Albiceleste: Jongbloed, Krol, Jansen, Suurbier, Neeskens, Haan, Rep and Rensenbrink. The ninth -Rijsbergen- remained on the bench. With the addition of René and Willy Van der Kerkhof, the best twins football has ever seen. Michels was no longer on the bench, but Ernst Happel, the highly awarded Austrian strategist.

Cruyff was not there due to a marriage obstacle. It was said that he did not agree with the military regime (Cruyff did not care about politics), and he himself stated in his autobiographical book that the truth was that his absence was due to the fact that they suffered a violent attack in Barcelona shortly before the World Cup, and that traumatized that he did not want to leave his family alone. One of his colleagues in private presented another version: “Danny, his wife, put him against the wall, told him: ‘The World Cup or me’.” Happel did everything possible to win him over, even renting him a villa next to our concentration in Córdoba so he could take Danny, but Johan didn’t accept. All this because of the party before the 1974 final in Germany that became public. Johan swore and swore that he had no part in it and Danny forgave him, but on the condition that there would be no second time. If he was in the Cup, El Tulipán de Oro would have arrived at the age of 31 and it would have been more difficult for Argentina to win the title. There was a lot of crack. Having an exceptional team, Germany in 1974 focused all its strategy on canceling Cruyff because it knew that otherwise it had little chance.

As compensation, Menotti also extended a hand to the Netherlands. He excluded from the national team those who were arguably the two best Argentinian footballers at the time: Bochini and Maradona. Forty-five years later, it still looks amazing. He got away because he was finally able to crown himself. Both would give him the brilliance and footballing creativity he lacked. He called Alonso, Villa and Valencia, three tens, but no one responded adequately and Kempes eventually took off, an attacking and powerful player, not without technique with the ball. Nevertheless, Kempes was the hero of that conquest.

Even without his outstanding guide, Holland practiced a smooth and offensive style, was completely composed and bought into the idea that Michels had gone. He arrived after being runner-up in the 1974 World Cup and third at the Euros in 1976. Between his virtues and the game Menotti championed – a kind of Guardiola before Guardiola – it was expected that there would be a football festival. Instead, it was a pitched battle. Argentina, as the world’s top seed, wanted to be, finally, the champion. And the Netherlands, with such a foundation that appeared at the beginning of the decade, shamefully took second place. And there was a violent crash, where the strong leg prevailed. It was all poking and guapear. They kissed The two of them hit each other to their heart’s content under the smug look of the Italian referee Sergio Gonella, who did not exclude anyone, he received only 5 yellow cards, three for the Netherlands. In the firewood category, those in orange prevailed, Argentina lit up the game.

Neither of them were guessing, not even because it was the final. They changed attack after attack. In this sense, Argentina used its fantastic goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol. It also created more scoring chances, particularly for Kempes and Bertoni, the latter wreaking havoc on the right wing and Kempes in the middle.

The Argentinian fan gave his team a shocking welcome, the likes of which the international public has not seen or seen at the world championships. It is unique. Thousands of flags and millions of pieces of paper with a thunderous ovation gave him an unprecedented welcome. And at every moment a deafening “Come on, come on Argentina, come on, come on, win…” But the Dutch were not at all faint. They fought like lions.

In the 38th minute, Ardiles entered between three opponents with a ten, Luque made a short pass in the middle for Kempes and El Matador, with the strength that characterized him, he threw himself on the ground expecting the crossing and exit of the defender and the goalkeeper to open the book mark. The River Monumental stadium seemed to collapse under those emotions. The Dutch continued to fight. So much so that, when halftime came, Argentina was relieved, the Netherlands pushed to the maximum. As in Munich four years earlier, Rep and Rensenbrink did not upset the balance, instead Arie Haan stood out as a midfielder and Ruud Krol as a libero and tasked with starting from the bottom. With only 9 minutes left until the curtain, Argentina finally reached the title, but a cross from the right and a spectacular header by Nanninga brought the Netherlands a tie: 1-1. The river court was frozen. And there would be more… In the 45th minute and 12 seconds, a very long shot surprised Olguín, the Argentinian right back, Rensenbrink appeared from behind, crossed his left foot and the shot hit the post. If that ball had gone in, there would have been two Maracanazas, the one in 1950 and the one in 1978. A wave of panic gripped 30 million Argentines.

It went to overtime and Argentina won there. At the end of the first overtime, in another so typical homeland, Kempes scored against the entire Dutch defense to make it 2-1. And Bertoni delivered the final blow: 3-1. There, local generated several actions to increase. Holland never gave up, but his battery ran out.

In relation to the 1970 final between Brazil and Italy, it was the opposite. It turned out to be a match of exceptional intensity and emotion, played quickly, with great pressure from both sides, and above all, they left their lives on every ball. Argentina won with desire, courage, without exaggeration. There were always eleven warriors on the field. The same in previous matches. Holland lost with a litter that is very difficult to repeat and could not get the most coveted title without being inferior to those who won the crown. It was a fantastic finale, which is seen half a century later and is exciting. (OR)