Argentina 3-1 Holland – 1978 world cup final
Many years of waiting had taken their toll on the Argentines sense of fair play. Thus when the Dutch side trooped out in front of the seventy-six thousand crowd at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires on 25 June 1978, they were left to stand for several minutes, eventually the Dutch started to kick some balls to relieve the tension. Soon afterwards their skipper, Daniel Passarella led his players out. The crowd erupted and unleashed ticker tape all around their players. Seeking to take advantage on this act of gamesmanship, Passarella then complained to the referee about the plaster on the right hand of Rene van der Kerkhof, who had been wearing it ever since injuring two bones in the first game the Dutch had participated in the tournament. This gamesmanship was clearly pre-arranged, and it was no shock that the referee, Sergio Gonella of Italy, fell for it. Quite correctly, Neeskans protested, and he was supported by his skipper Rud Krol who indicated to his players that they should leave the pitch. At that time it began to dawn upon the referee that he was being made a fool of; fortunately, he came up with a face saving solution, Kerkhof would have to wrap his hand and the plaster in a soft bandage, which, of course made no change. But at least the tie could commence. However, the Argentine ruse had one effect, the Dutch players were furious. An anger not lessened by persistent Argentine fouling, especially by Galvan, who went unpunished. The Dutch took control of the opening exchanges, but were unable to exchange their advantages for something tangible, like a goal. Slowly the Argentine players started to come back into the match. Then Kempes smashed the ball home, thirty-eight minutes into the game, which sent the crowd into triumph. However the Dutch did not wilt, again and again they pressed the Argentine goal. With the referee losing some control over the match there was a large amount of kicking, from both sides; somehow the Dutch managed to keep playing well, and then with eight minutes to go, Nanninga headed home the equalizer. The players were tired, especially the Dutch, and it was a disappointment for the Dutch players when Resenbrink’s last shot of the ninety minutes struck the post instead of going inside the net. During extra time, the Dutch, who were weary, had no answer to Kempes’s rampaging runs. Therefore it was no shock when the South Americans scored twice more. Argentina had won the World Cup for the first occasion.

Argentina V West Germany (3-2) - Final
The final between Argentina and West Germany was highly anticipated, with all eyes on Diego Maradona, who had attracted media attention all over the globe because of his brilliant goals against Belgium and England and stunning performances throughout the world cup. Maradona was regarded a match winner and West Germany knew that prior the game. The West Germans were determined to stop Diego Maradona from the game, so they made a line of five defensive players, and Lothar Matthaus had the job of man marking Maradona during the game. Argentina was awarded a free kick during the first half, Barruchaga curled the free kick into the penalty area and it was met by Brown’s header, and the ball flew into the net.
Being one goal down, the Germans were forced to switch their tactics and had to press forward more often. It took over half an hour for the Germans to have their first real opportunity of the match, Forster’s cross was headed back across the six yard box to Rummenigge, however his volley went wide of the post. Argentina came close to scoring a second, a one- two between Maradona and Barruchaga, witnessed a shot rebound off the German goalkeeper Schumacher, and then off Maradona and go just past the post. After the first half interval, the Germans began attacking more, German striker Rudi Voller came on as a substitute for Allofs. In the 56th minute Argentina scored their second, it all commenced from a German attack being broken up by the Argentinean midfield when Valdano won the ball in his own half. After a great piece of work between Enrique and Maradona, Valdano, waiting in West Germany’s goal, kicked the ball past the sprawling Schumacher.
The Germans threw on Hoeness, a striker and he substituted the German defender Magath. West Germany scored in the 72nd minute, it all began after a great Argentinean break was interrupted by a tallow flag for offside. Andy Brehme’s corner kick was met on by Rudi Voller, and Rummenigge hit the ball into the back of the net, to give the Germans a lifeline. In the 80th minute the Germans equalized, it came from another Brehme corner. His corner was met by Voller who then smashed the ball home from the six yard box.
Now the game was at 2-2, and anything was possible. Three minutes after, Maradona freed himself from Matthaus and carved open the German defense with a great through ball to the feet of Barruchaga, who then scored the goal which awarded Argentina the victory, and won them the World Cup. Argentina was the deserved winners and for once it was not just Maradona who sparkled, it was the whole Argentinean side, Argentina were champions of the 1986 world cup.