Argentina 1978
Final: Argentina 3-1 Netherlands
Argentina had been bidding to stage the World Cup since the 1930s, but when the tournament was finally held there the country was under the control of a military junta. As a result, the finals were played in a tense atmosphere.
Several European countries considered boycotting the event or trying to get it moved, but FIFA insisted to go ahead as planned.
The two biggest names of 1974 were missing, Beckenbauer was playing in the United States, and Cruyff, citing security worries, was out of the Dutch side.
But new talents were emerging.
Brazil were still in the doldrums, and the world had a first glimpse of France's rising talent Michel Platini, destined to become one of the game's greats and later the president of UEFA.
Argentina, coached by the chain-smoking Cesar Luis Menotti, had a fine team which included striker Mario Kempes and brilliant midfielder Osvaldo Ardiles.
They strode powerfully, bar a defeat by Italy, through to the final, even if a 6-0 win over Peru in the second phase match, which guaranteed their place in the final, was seen later to be something of a 'manufactured result' between the two South American nations.
As in 1974, a superb Dutch team battled through to face the hosts in the World Cup final, and again they gained scant reward for their popularity, enterprise and brilliant play.
Argentina won 3-1 in extra-time with Kempes scoring twice.
