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Flashback: No 11. Argentina 1978: Kempes denies Dutch for a second time

Saul Brookfield
Wednesday 02 June 2010 00:00 BST
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Mario Kempes wheels away in delight after scoring his first goal in Argentina's 3-1 defeat of the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Kempes scored twice in the final as the hosts won in extra-time and finished the tournament as top scorer with six goals. In a marked change with today, he was the only foreign-based player chosen in coach Cesar Luis Menotti's squad, having topped the scoring charts in La Liga with Valencia for two seasons running.

There was much to admire in Argentina's triumph aside from Kempes' hard running and goals: the flair of his strike partner Leopoldo Luque, Ossie Ardiles' subtle touches in midfield and captain Daniel Passarella's assurance at the back.

However, Menotti's side reached the final by pipping Brazil on goal difference in the second group stage thanks to a 6-0 win over Peru that has always attracted much suspicion.

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