Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup on 2 different occasions. The 1st of the two Argentina World Cup wins came in 1978 when host nation Argentina beat Netherlands 3-1 in the finals of the FIFA World Cup. Even though Argentina was the host, the path to the final was indeed a very tough one.
Argentina was drawn in the same group as Italy, France, and Hungary from the get-go. Although France lost to Italy, they managed to attain qualification by beating France 2-1 and edging past them into the second round. In the second round, Argentina was drawn into the same group as their South American rivals Brazil.
Both the teams won 2 games and drew against each other, ending up on 5 points, but as Argentina had a better goal difference, they progressed to the finals instead of Brazil. The final was another nerve-wracking game for Argentina. They had already reached this stage and lost once in 1930 and it had taken them 48 years to reach this stage for a second time.
Kempes’ 38’ goal was canceled out by Nanninga’s 82’ equalizer, but Argentina was able to slide 2 more goals past the Netherlands in extra time and won the tie 3-1 in extra time, becoming champions of the world.
The 2nd win came not too long after in 1986. Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 in an exhilarating final to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy for a second time. Argentina was drawn with Italy, Bulgaria, and South Korea. Argentina managed to finish top of the group with 2 wins and a draw against Italy.
After this started the knockout stages of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Argentina then won 1-0 against Uruguay, 2-1 against England, and 2-0 against Belgium in the Round of 16, Quarter Finals, and Semi-Finals respectively to book their place in the 1986 FIFA World Cup final. The final was against West Germany. Argentina got 2 early goals in the 23’ and the 55’ and looked like they were comfortably on their way to a 2nd FIFA World Cup trophy but West Germany responded with two quickfire goals in the 74’ and 80’.
It looked like Argentina had wasted their two-goal lead and that West Germany would score a third with the momentum on their side but Burruchaga had different plans. Just 3 minutes after West Germany’s second goal, Burruchaga scored the winner for Argentina in the 83’, putting the final touches on a very exciting match. The match ended 3-2 and Argentina won their second FIFA World Cup title.
Argentina’s Near Misses For World Cup Win
Argentina has won the World Cup on two different occasions, but they have finished runners-up even more times. Argentina lost the FIFA World Cup final in 1930, 1990, and 2014. 1930 was the first time the FIFA World Cup was ever played. This tournament saw the final happen between Uruguay, who were also the host country, and Argentina, Uruguay managed to defeat Argentina 4-2, handing Argentina their 1st FIFA World Cup finals loss.
The next time Argentina lost a FIFA World Cup final was in 1990, right after Argentina's triumph in 1986. Argentina had defeated West Germany in the 1986 FIFA World Cup final and faced the same opponent once again, but this time West Germany got the better of them and defeated Argentina 1-0, handing them their second FIFA World Cup Final loss. The third and final loss came as recently as 2014.
This time Argentina was up against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final. Neither teams were able to score in normal time which saw the match get extend into extra time, but in the 113’ of extra time, German player Mario Gotze managed to slip the ball into Argentina’s net, making the score 1-0. This goal would cause Argentina to lose their third FIFA World Cup final.
Argentina’s World Cup Debut
In 1930, 13 teams came together to play the 1st ever edition of the FIFA World Cup. Argentina was drawn into Group A with Chile, France, and Mexico. The 1st position team of all 4 groups would qualify for the Semi-Finals. Argentina finished 1st in Group A, winning all 3 of their matches.
Argentina faced the United States in the Semi-Finals of the tournament and managed to beat them 6-1 to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup final. Argentina had a very good start to the final as they managed to take a 2-1 lead through early goals by Peucelle and Stabile. This lead however did not last for long.
Cea equalized for Uruguay in the 57’ and follow-up goals by Iriarte and Castro in the 68’ and 89’ respectively saw Argentina lose 4-2 to Uruguay in the first-ever FIFA World Cup final.
Argentina’s Final Scorecard
Below is the final scorecard from Argentina’s first-ever FIFA World Cup win in 1978.
Final- 25 June 1978
 | 3–1 (a.e.t.) |  | |
 |  | Report |  |
Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
Attendance: 71,483
Referee: Sergio Gonella (Italy)
