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Argentina 1978
The Netherlands again reached the final at the 1978 World Cup. Unfortunately, the team again faced the host and lost.
It was Argentina that lifted the trophy, beating the Dutch 3-1 in extra time in the final.
The Argentines nearly missed out on the chance, however. Both Brazil and Argentina won their first games in the second-round group, and then drew 0-0 against each other.
Brazil edged Poland 3-1 to improve to five points in the group with a plus-five goal difference. That meant Argentina, which had previously beaten Poland 2-0, needed to beat Peru by four goals to advance.
The hosts got two goals to spare after a 6-0 rout.
England missed the tournament for the second straight time, but France was back after a 12-year absence.
The French, led by Michel Platini, failed to make the second round after losses to Argentina and Italy.
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Spain 1982
Paolo Rossi was the star of the 1982 World Cup in Spain, scoring a hat trick against Brazil and another in Italy's 3-1 win over West Germany in the final.
It was Italy's third World Cup victory, but first since winning its second straight title in 1938.
