Isabel Peron was the president when Argentina won the bid to host the World Cup finals. A 1976 military coup removed Peron from office. The 1978 competition was now in jeopardy. Rafael Videla's National Reorganization Movement had taken power. After a long debate, the Netherlands reluctantly participated in the World Cup finals with Iran, Tunisia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, and West Germany.

James Callaghan had replaced Harold Wilson as Labour Prime Minister, entering the winter of discontent, garbage remained uncollected, and snow-bound roads were uncleaned. Don Revie's England football team had failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup finals after losing to Italy.

First Round

Vineyards are located in the Eastern foothills of the Andes. Malbec red grapes are perfect for Argentina soil other varieties are also grown in the Mendoza region. Malbec is a plump-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors.

Menotti's Argentina opened their World Cup campaign against Hungary in the Estadio Monumental Buonis Aires in front of 70,000crowd. The Hungarians took the lead after a skillful attack that baffled the Argentina defense. A clever free-kick enabled Luque to score the equalizer.

Late in the game, skillful attacks by Argentina allowed Bertoni to score the winning goal. Torocsik and Nylasi lost the plot and were both sent off for Hungary. Argentina went on to qualify for the second round after beating France 2-1 and losing to Italy 1-0 in the Estadio de River plate.

The Jose Maria Minella stadium, the golden sands, white foam, and magnificent cliffs of the Mari Del Plata held Brazil's one-all draw with Sweden in front of 32.000 fans. Clive Thomas of Wales refereed the match.

Brazil's second qualifying group match was against Spain. The score by the Atlantic coastline was 0-0. A one-nil victory over Austria in the final group game put Brazil into the second round.

The Scotts guards have a reputation for being a fighting unit in the British army. John Halliday was on leave watching Scotland's World Cup match against Peru reading his favorite poem.

"Tongue of a dog, eyes of a frog, wings of a bat, and morals of a rat. Macbeth fights a duel to the death. Boil a broth, put a haggis in the pot, prick my thumb, trouble will come. Macbeth has poisoned a guest. Wool of a sheep, horn of a bull, skin of a snake, toe of a goat. Macbeth lost his head."

The Scottish fans made a fine spectacle in the stadium, wearing tartan kilts, waving blue flags, and singing Bonnie Scotland. The majority come from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee.

Scotland took the lead through Joe Jordan's header. Peru equalized and ran riot in the second half with two world-class goals by Cublias. A 1-1 draw against Iran meant that Scotland had to beat the Netherlands by three goals or more to qualify for the second round.

The Dutch opened the scoring with a penalty. Kenny Daglish equalized by chipping the goalkeeper. Scotland took the lead from the penalty spot. Little Archie Gemmell went for a dribble past two defenders and flicked the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 3-1. The Dutch scored the fifth goal. Scotland were out of the World Cup. Bonnie Scotland, Bonnie Scotland, we'll support you evermore, We'll support you evermore.

Second Round Group A

Austria is known for Music, art, literature, natural beauty, and Cuisine. Visitors can enjoy skiing and walking through historic towns. Composers such as Mozart and Beethoven spent most of their lives in the capital city of Vienna.

Austria met the Netherlands at the Estadio Chateau Carreras in Cordoba City at the foothills of the Sierra's chicas by the Siquia River. In front of a twenty-five thousand crowd, John Gordon from Scotland refereed the match. Johnny Rep scored two goals as the Netherlands thrashed Austria 5-1. 

Austria beat West Germany 3-2  in the game known as the Miracle of Cordoba. karl Heinz Rummenigge opened the scoring against Austria, an own goal by Beti Vogts made the score one all, and Hans Kranki scored the winning goal.

Aart Aaldenberg was a Dutch farmer who lived in the Beemster region. He planted tulips, roses, carnations, daffodils, and lily flower bulbs. 

Aart was writing about his fiancee's visit.
'A windmill in the countryside, a bicycle outside a canal house. Heidi went for a walk. Around a dyke, over sea dunes on a sandy beach. Heidi went for a walk, down the footpath with clogs on her feet and tulips in her hands. Heidi went for a walk

The restaurant waiter recommended fresh fried soles, oysters, mussels, and herring with an exquisite (Dutch )Jenever Gin.

A  2-2 draw with West Germany left the Netherlands with a   showdown against Italy in the final group game for a place in the World Cup final.

Italy played the Netherlands in Buenos Aires in front of 67,000 fans. Italy took the lead in the first half. The Dutch team hit back in the second half with goals by Brandts and Haan. 

Second Round Group B

Brazil and Argentina are a rivalry between two sets of fans. Games are often controversial and are referred to as the Battle of the Americas. Argentina wore light blue and white shirts, black shorts, and socks. Brazil in yellow shirts white shorts and white socks in front of 37,000 supporters at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in the city of Rosario. The game finished in a 0-0 draw.

Brazil met Poland in the Malvinas Stadium Mendoza in front of 39,000 fans. Two second-half goals by Roberto Dinamite gave Brazil a 3-1 victory. Local restaurants served Chimichurri green Salsa made with chopped onions, parsley, oregano, garlic, chili, pepper flakes, and olive oil, accompanied by a grilled steak after the match.

Argentina had to defeat Peru by four goals or more to reach the World Cup final. Match-fixing allegations began when Argentina arrived ten minutes late for the kick off. Argentina were 2-0 ahead at half-time. The second half saw Peru collapse and lose 6-0. Brazil was out of the World Cup final.

Final

The 1978 World Cup final was between Argentina and the Netherlands in the Estadio Monumental Buenos Aires. The crowd threw confetti onto the pitch. Mario Kempis opened the scoring by stabbing the ball underneath the goalkeeper. However, the Dutch hit back late in the game with a Dick Naninga header to make the final score 1-1.

Extra Time

Mario Kempis's shot rebounded off the goalkeeper, the ball span in the air, and landed in the back of the net. Argentina scored a third goal and won the World Cup 3-1.

Argentina fans celebrated in the streets around the Casa Rosada in the Plaza de Mayo. Vamos, Vamos

Chapter 5