Kempes, the tournament’s top scorer, was the hero of the final, scoring twice, including the eventual winner in extra time, and was named man of the match.
The Valencia striker opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a well taken finish, before Dutch substitute Dick Nanninga headed in an equaliser late in normal time.
Rob Rensenbrink then came agonisingly close to winning it for the Netherlands in the dying seconds, his shot cannoning back off the post. Argentina made the most of their reprieve in extra time, Kempes restoring the lead with a scrappy effort before Daniel Bertoni added a third five minutes from the end.
The final was steeped in controversy, played under the backdrop of Jorge Videla’s military dictatorship, with lingering allegations of interference in the tournament, including refereeing decisions and a suspiciously one sided 6-0 win over Peru in the second group stage that helped Argentina progress.
The Netherlands themselves protested the delayed kickoff and a dispute over a plaster cast worn by Rene van de Kerkhof, and refused to attend the post match ceremony in response.
Despite the controversy surrounding the tournament, the victory remains a landmark moment in Argentine football history, the country’s first World Cup and the foundation for the footballing nation it would go on to become.
Photo: Action Images / Sporting Pictures / Paul Robinson
