Argentina won their first FIFA World Cup title on home soil, defeating the Netherlands 3–1 in extra time at Buenos Aires.
Key Facts
- Final score
- Argentina 3–1 Netherlands (AET)
- Venue
- Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
- Man of the Match
- Mario Kempes
- Tournament top scorer
- Mario Kempes
- Netherlands final losses
- Second consecutive World Cup final defeat
- Date
- 25 June 1978
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Argentina, as host nation, and the Netherlands, runners-up in 1974, both progressed through the 1978 FIFA World Cup tournament to meet in the final. The Netherlands had lost the previous final to West Germany in 1974, also as guests playing against the host nation.
On 25 June 1978 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina faced the Netherlands in the World Cup final. Regulation time ended in a draw, but Argentina secured a 3–1 victory in extra time. Mario Kempes, the tournament's top scorer, was named man of the match.
Argentina claimed their first FIFA World Cup title, celebrated in front of a home crowd. The Netherlands suffered their second consecutive World Cup final defeat, both times to the host nation. Mario Kempes cemented his status as one of the tournament's defining players of that era.
Result
at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires