Argentina 1978
Argentina won their first World Cup on home soil on 25 June 1978, at a Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires overflowing with 71,483 spectators and an endless cascade of ticker tape. Under the shadow of the military dictatorship, César Luis Menotti's side played attacking football that captivated the country. In the final against the Netherlands, Mario Kempes opened the scoring with an unstoppable run. The Dutch without Cruyff, who refused to participate equalised through Dick Nanninga late on. In extra time, Kempes scored again with an iconic goal after rounding the goalkeeper, and Daniel Bertoni sealed the 3-1 victory. The image of Daniel Passarella lifting the trophy amid the rain of confetti is iconic, though the '78 World Cup will always carry the weight of its political context.