ON THIS DAY: Argentina wins 1st World Cup; Algeria fumes as West Germany beats Austria in 1982
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this June 25, 1982 file photo, Algerian soccer supporters show money to photographers, in Gijon, Spain, after the World Cup soccer match between West Germany and Austria. On this day: West Germany beat Austria 1-0, a result that meant both teams progressed to the next round at Algeria's expense. After West Germany took an early lead, the game ran its bland course to conclusion to the ire of the watching Algerians. (AP Photo/File) (The Associated Press)
On June 25 in World Cup history: Confetti greets Argentina after it beats the Netherlands to win 1978 final in Buenos Aires. Algeria eliminated after West Germany and Austria play out controversial match in Gijon, Spain, in 1982.
After nearly 50 years of trying, Argentina finally got its hands on the World Cup trophy when it defeated the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time in front of a confetti-laden home crowd. Inspired by striker Mario Kempes, who scored twice in the final to take his tournament tally to six, Argentina inflicted the second straight final defeat on the Dutch. They were without star Johan Cruyff following his last-minute withdrawal. Cruyff revealed a few years ago that he didn't board the plane to Argentina because of a kidnap attempt months before. At the time, there was widespread speculation that his absence was an act of protest against the military junta that seized power in Argentina two years earlier.
Four years later, West Germany and Austria played out one of the most controversial games in World Cup history, the result of which meant Algeria was eliminated. In the final game of Group 2, the two met in the full knowledge that a 1-0 win for West Germany would be enough for both to progress to the next round. Algeria had won its final group game against Chile the day before. After West Germany took the lead early on through a goal by Horst Hrubesch, neither team did much to try and score the rest of the way. Fans of Algeria waved banknotes at the players. The game led to a change in the rules, dictating that the final group games would be played at the same time.