Roberto Saporiti recalls Argentina’s 1978 World Cup win

Americas Now

In 1978 Argentina hosted a World Cup that was shrouded in controversy. The main reason for the discord was the ruling military government. At the time, it was accused of killing and disappearing thousands of people.

But on the field the entire country put aside political differences and got behind the national team. Argentina and the Netherlands met in the final match and tied 1-1. In a dramatic moment of overtime, Daniel Bertoni and Mario Kempes scored goals that gave Argentina the Cup.

That journey to glory is now told for “Americas Now” by a member of the team’s coaching staff Roberto Saporiti.

Last March two members of Argentina’s 1978 national team passed away. The first was Striker René Houseman, who was nicknamed “El Loco” or “The Crazy One” because of his audacity in the front of the goal. The other was midfielder Ruben Galvan, who played in the local club “Independiente” for most of his career.