5 most dramatic FIFA World Cup finals ever

#4 Argentina vs Netherlands - 1978

Argentina beat Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final that was delayed by more than 10 minutes after a huge argument

The 1978 FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and The Netherlands will perhaps be best remembered for a pre-match incident that almost abandoned the World Cup Final. Argentina had shown some brilliant performances throughout the tournament which included a 6-0 drubbing of Peru in their second round game which allowed Argentina to qualify for the final ahead of the Brazilians.

The side boasted of star striker Mario Kempes who had been in terrific form throughout the tournament. The Dutch, on the other hand, had a difficult group stage but were at their very best in the second round, qualifying ahead of Italy, West Germany and Austria. The side were without 1974 star Johann Cryuff but had many star players like Johnny Rep, Ruud Krol, Willy, Rene van de Kerkhof, Arie Haan, Willem van Hanegem, Johann Neeskens and Rob Rensenbrink who had been their star player scoring 5 goals.

The final was played on at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental in front of more than 71,000 people. Argentina arrived on the pitch some seven minutes after the Dutch and once they entered the field, they were responsible for one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history. The argument began about a heavy plaster cast on the arm of Dutch winger Rene van de Kerkhof.

Argentina captain Daniel Passarella said that Van de Kerkhof should not be allowed to play with such a heavy cast as it was solid and dangerous even though he had played his six previous matches with the cast on and no such problem had been reported. Then Dutch captain Ruud Krol and all the Dutch players threatened to leave the pitch if van de Kerkhof was not allowed to play.

Italian referee Sergio Gonella then sorted out the matter by telling Van de Kerkhof to put a sling around it. The match itself was a physical game with occasional pieces of brilliance being outnumbered by violence. Argentina went on to win the match 3-1 with two goals from Mario Kempes, who pipped Rensenbrink to the Golden Boot before Daniel Bertoni added a third.

Though the match had a number of close calls, the final will always be remembered for that incident which delayed the start of the final by more than 10 minutes.