1978

Host nation: Argentina Games: 38 Goals: 102 (2.68 per match) Dismissals: 3 Venues: 6 Winners: Argentina Top scorer: Mario Kempes (6 goals)

It’s hard to ignore the murderous elephant in the room when it comes to the 1978 World Cup – the event was the showpiece for a vile junta – but separate sport from politics, ordinary people from military overlords, and it was an exhilarating tournament that anointed a new football superpower. The group games were packed with surprises – a lively Poland pipping West Germany to top spot; Peru pushing the Netherlands into second place; and Austria finishing above Brazil – while the second round-robins went right to the wire and set up a truly epic final.

STAR FACTOR

Zico, Dirceu and the superbly-named Roberto Dinamite excelled for Brazil, who didn’t lose a game (leading them to claim that they were ‘moral champions’). Paolo Rossi and Michel Platini broke through for Italy and France respectively, while Teofilo Cubillas was pitch-perfect for Peru. But the steel, skill and instinct of Daniel Passarella (bottom), Ossie Ardiles (top) and Mario Kempes of Argentina shone brightest.

WONDER GOALS

It was too little, too late, but Archie Gemmell’s mazy run for Scotland against the Netherlands was such an ecstatic moment that it starred in a sex scene in Trainspotting. Quite the hit.

AGGRO

The final was ill-tempered: the Dutch accused Argentina of delaying kick-off to ramp up the hostile atmosphere at the tickertape-engulfed Estadio Monumental (right); the hosts responded by questioning the legality of Rene van de Kerkhof’s plaster cast. The grumpy runners-up failed to show up to the post-match ceremony.

THE THRILLERS

The Miracle – or Shame – of Cordoba, depending if you’re Austrian or German. The final round-robin games would decide if West Germany reached the final; for Austria it was a dead rubber against an enemy they hadn’t beaten for 47 years. Hans Krankl bagged a brace to give the underdogs a 3-2 triumph, promoting Austrian commentator Edi Finger to bark words every Austrian knows off by heart: “Tor! Tor! Tor! I wer’ narrisch! (I’m going crazy)”.

THE FINAL

A cracker. Mario Kempes slotted home a 37th-minute opener, Dick Nanninga equalised late – and Rob Rensenbrink almost won it for the Dutch in stoppage time, hitting the post. Kempes and Daniel Bertoni then scored for Argentina in extra time. Total Football had been foiled by the host nation once again.

LEGACY

The penalty shootout was introduced to decide matches level after 120 minutes… but not a single game needed one.