Scotland 3 The Netherlands 2 - first round
(group 4)
Scotland had to beat the Netherlands by three
clear goals, or it would be their last match of
this World Cup. Yet even if they managed this, Scotland
would almost certainly be penalised by Fifa because
of Johnstone’s drug test, and not go through anyway.
The enormity of this task was underlined by the
Dutch status as one of the favourites of the tournament.
It was a different Scottish team that took the field
for the Holland match. Their intent was signalled
after only five minutes when Rioch’s header hit
the crossbar. Then five minutes later the Scots
had a stroke of good fortune when Neeskens had to
withdraw owing to a rib injury. Within two minutes
Dalglish had the ball in the net; unfortunately
the goal was not given, in the opinion of the referee
Dalglish had jostled unfairly an opponent en route.
With ten minutes to go to half time it looked like
the Dutch would weather the storm and emerge on
top when Rep was tripped inside the penalty area
and Rensenbrink scored from the penalty awarded.
With one minute to go to half time a header from
Joe Jordan was firmly struck by Dalglish into the
back of the net. After the half time interval was
over the Scots continue to show intent; Souness
ran into the penalty area and was mercilessly hacked
down; Gemmill converted. Suddenly Scotland were
two-one up with most of the half remaining to score
the two goals required. For twenty minutes the Scots
pounded the Dutch defences, and then it came: Kenny
Dalglish had the ball in the Dutch half trying to
initiate yet another bombardment when he was dispossessed;
instantly Gemmill stormed in and won the ball back,
he then set off at pace towards the Dutch goal,
twisting and turning as he went, at the left hand
corner of the penalty area Wildschut put in a strong
tackle which Gemmill managed to dodge, seconds later
Suubier put his leg out which Gemmill met by turning
inside, he then slipped the ball through Krol’s
legs and recovered possession, there was only one
Hollander between Gemmill and the goal, Jongbloed,
who spread himself expertly to deny Gemmill, yet
the “wee mon” was not to be denied, he just delicately
chipped Jongbloed to make the score three-one. This,
the greatest goal of the tournament, and one of
the greatest of all time, had the Scots’ fans screaming.
But it was not to be, just three minutes had elapsed
when Johnny Rep gained possession at the half way
line, ran forward and smashed the ball thirty yards
to undo all Gemmill’s work. And there the score
remained, despite all the best efforts of the players
on the pitch. At least Scotland could return with
their heads held high, yet one couldn’t help but
wonder: if only: if only they had played like that
against Peru and Iran.
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Netherlands 2-1 Italy second round (group
A)
The first half of the game between Italy and the
Netherlands was dominated by the Mediterranean side,
and thus they went into the lead after nineteen
minutes plays thanks to an own goal from Brandts
who was under pressure from Bettega. Rather unexpectedly
it looked as if Italy would reach the final, but
then the defensive mentality that had cost them
so dearly in the past began to resurrect itself,
the Italians withdrew for the second half, permitting
the Dutch to pile on the pressure. The Italian decision
was all the more strange as the Dutch only needed
to draw to go through. Soon Brandts made up for
his slip, scoring the equaliser by shooting from
twenty yards out and thereby exposing the folly
of the Italian plan. Then, inside the final quarter
of an hour, Haan underlined the known vulnerability
of Zoff to long distance shots, belting one with
all the power he could muster. Italy were now two-one
down with no hope at all of scoring twice in retaliation,
the match was over and the Dutch would face the
hosts in the final.
Final result
Buenos Aires 25 June 1978
Argentina: Fillol, Olguin, Galvan, Passarella,
Taratini, Ardiles (66 Larossa),
Gallego, Kempes, Bertoni, Luque, Ortiz (78 Houseman).
The Netherlands: Jongbloed, Brandts, Krol, Jansen
(73 Suubier), Poortvliet,
Neeskans, Haan, W. Van der Kerkhof, R. Van der Kerkhof,
Rep (58 Nanninga), Resenbrink.
Referee: Sergio Gonella (Italy).
Half time scores in brackets.
Argentina 3 (1) The Netherlands 1 (0) after extra
time.
Attendance: 77,260
Scorers:
Kempes (38, 104), Bertoni (115);
Nanninga (82).
Forty-eight years of waiting had taken their toll
on the Argentines sense of fair play. Thus when
the Dutch team trooped out in front of the seventy-six
thousand strong crowd at the River Plate Stadium
in Buenos Aires on 25 June 1978, they were left
to stand for five minutes, eventually the Dutch
started to kick some balls to relieve the tension.
Soon afterwards captain Daniel Passarella lead his
players out. The crowd erupted and unleashed ticker
tape all over their players. Seeking to capitalise
on this act of gamesmanship, Passarella then complained
to the referee about the plaster on the right hand
of Rene van der Kerkhof, who had been wearing it
ever since injuring two bones in the first game
the Dutch had played in the tournament. This gamesmanship
was clearly pre-planned, and it was surprising that
the referee, Sergio Gonella of Italy, fell for it.
Quite rightly Neeskans protested, and he was supported
by his captain Rud Krol who indicated to his players
that they should leave the pitch. At which point
it began to dawn upon the referee that he was being
made a fool of; fortunately, he came up with a face
saving solution, Kerkhof would have to wrap his
hand and the plaster in a soft bandage, which, of
course made no real difference. But at least the
game could begin. However, the Argentine ruse had
one effect, the Dutch players were angered. An anger
not lessened by persistent Argentine fouling, particularly
by Galvan, who went unpunished. The Dutch dominated
the opening exchanges, but were unable to exchange
their advantages for something tangible, like a
goal. Slowly the Argentine players began to come
back into the game. Then Kempes scored, thirty-eight
minutes into the game, which sent the crowd into
paroxysms of joy. Yet the Dutch did not wilt, again
and again they attacked the Argentine goal. With
the referee losing some control over the game there
was an enormous amount of kicking, from both sides;
somehow the Dutch managed to keep going, and then
with eight minutes to go, Nanninga headed home the
equaliser. The players were tired, especially the
Dutch, thus it was a disappointment for the European
players when Resenbrink’s last shot of the ninety
minutes struck the post instead of going in. In
extra time, the Dutch, who were thoroughly exhausted,
had no answer to Kempes’s rampaging runs. Hence
it was no surprise when the South Americans scored
two more. Argentina had won the World Cup for the
first time.