Argentina is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to soccer on a global level. They have produced some of the greatest footballers of all time. Generational talents like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have originated from the grassroots levels of Argentine soccer.
Argentina has been ever-present as a participating nation in the FIFA World Cup. The country has missed the opportunity to feature in the FIFA World Cup on just four occasions. Brazil and Germany lead the way with the most number of World Cup participations, but Argentina comes in third place.
1930—Uruguay 4-2 Argentina
1978—Argentina 3-1 Netherlands 🏆
1986—Argentina 3-2 West Germany 🏆
1990—West Germany 1-0 Argentina
2014—Germany 1-0 ArgentinaArgentina will be hoping to make it three wins in six World Cup finals tomorrow 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/eXmGMcp5SI
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 17, 2022
Over its long and illustrious World Cup history, The South American nation has claimed two FIFA World Cup Victories while finishing as runners-up on three occasions.
Argentina lifted its first World Cup in 1978, followed by a repeat of the same in 1986.
On the other hand, La Albiceleste finished as runners-up in 1930, 1990, and 2014. In 1930, they lost to Uruguay in the final. In 1990, they faced defeat at the hands of West Germany. The heartbreak of 1990 was to repeat itself in 2014 as Germany defeated Argentina in the final yet again.
Argentina defeated the Netherlands to win the 1978 World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup final was played between hosts Argentina and the Netherlands, at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
It was a high-pressure and high-stakes game. The hostile Argentine home crowd had a tough attitude toward the Dutch players. The crowd acted as the 12th man to help Argentina to a maiden World Cup victory.
On the day when Argentina attempt to win the World Cup for the third time,here is a personally signed and dedicated photo Mario Kempes gave me,celebrating one of his goals in the 1978 World Cup Final against Holland,Argentina’s first World Cup win! pic.twitter.com/IIRlUOpkJV
— Tony Fearon (@TonyFearon) December 18, 2022
Argentine forward Mario Kempes netted the opening goal of the game in the first half. The Netherlands was able to respond with a late second-half equalizer, which saw Dick Nanninga score for the Europeans.
The game went to extra time where Kempes added another to his nation’s tally to give them a 2-1 lead in extra time before the game was sealed when Daniel Bertoni scored Argentina’s third. The South Americans won the game with a 3-1 scoreline.
Argentina defeated West Germany to win the 1986 World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup was played in Mexico. The final was played between Argentina and West Germany at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Argentina had topped their group and defeated Uruguay, England, and Belgium to reach the final. On the other hand, West Germany secured second place in their group before defeating Morocco, Mexico, and France to reach the final.
1986 World Cup Maradona scores the ‘Goal of the Century’ to give Argentina a 2-1 win over England in Mexico @sp1873 @SuperbFootyPics @FootballArchive pic.twitter.com/EZ143NyL3k
— Firmino (@brazilegend10) December 13, 2022
Jose Luis Brown put Argentina ahead in the first half of the contest. As the second half started, Jorge Valdano doubled La Albiceleste’s lead. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the German captain scored in the final 20 minutes to make it 2-1. Rudolf Voller added a second to the German tally to tie the game at 2-2 in the final 10 minutes of the game. Jorge Burruchaga, however, scored a late winner for the South Americans.
Will Argentina win the @fifaworldcup for the first time since 1986 ❓❓🇦🇷🏆#football #footballshirt #shirt #vintage #80s #worldcup #fifa #final #argentina #argentina🇦🇷 #qatar #greatest #kits #goat #messi #maradona #player #legend #classic #classicfootballshirts #vintage pic.twitter.com/2ykk4ghYTd
— Greatest Kits (@greatest_kits) December 18, 2022
The scoreboard read 3-2 in favor of Argentina after 90 minutes. This awarded Argentina their second World Cup win after their first triumph eight years prior.
Countries with the Most FIFA World Cup Wins! ⚽️🏆#FIFAWorldCup #SportsGlobe #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup2022 #FIFA #WorldCup #WorldCup2022 #Football #QatarWorldCup2022 #CristianoRonaldo #LionelMessi #Sports pic.twitter.com/2YEmsOVZN2
— Sports Globe (@SportsGlobe__) November 19, 2022
This means that Brazil (5), Italy (4), and Germany (4) are the nations with the most World Cup wins to their name. However, Argentina sits in 4th place with 2 World Cup wins, level with Uruguay and France, the latter of whom they face in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final.