FIFA World Cup 1978 Group 1

fifa world cup 1978 poster The hosts were seeded in Group 1 and found themselves matched with three strong European sides. Qualification was decided before the final round of matches but defeat in their last game meant that Argentina would play in Rosario in the second group phase. For the first time in their history, Argentina wore the AFA crest on their shirts.

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Italy

France

Italy 2 France 1

Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata (38,100)
2 June 1978

Bernard Lacombe put France into an early lead, scoring a fine headed goal from a long cross in the first minute. Rossi equalised in the 29th minute and Zaccarelli scored Italy's winner nine minutes into the second half.

(Stein Jacobsen)

Argentina

Hungary

Argentina 2 Hungary 1

Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires (71,615)
2 June 1978

Argentina found themselves a goal down after nine minutes but Luque equalised five minutes later. Bertoni scored a late winning goal.

Italy

Hungary

Italy 3 Hungary 1

Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata (26,533)
6 June 1978

Italy disposed of Hungary thanks to two first half goals from Rossi and Bettega, both coming within a minute. Benetti made it 3-0 in the second half. Hungary's goal came from a penalty converted by András Tóth nine minutes from full time.

(Filippo Olivieri)

Argentina

France

Argentina 2 France 1

Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires (71,666)
6 June 1978

France had to win to salvage any chance of progressing and although Platini cancelled out Passarella's penalty goal scored on the stroke of half-time, Luque scored the winner for hosts in the 73rd minute.

France

Hungary

France 3 Hungary 1

Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata (23,127)
10 June 1978

The teams arrived with only their white change kits so the start was delayed while officials got hold of a set of striped tops borrowed from the local Club Atlético Kimberley for France to wear. France took the lead in the 23rd minute and shortly before half-time, there was a flurry of goals. There was no further scoring in the second half.

(Hernán)

Italy

Argentina

Italy 1 Argentina 0

Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires (71,712)
10 June 1978

Both teams were already through to the next round but Argentina's pride took a bad knock with this defeat, which meant they would not play their next matches in the capital, Buenos Aires.