Argentina scored their first-ever World Cup victory on Sunday (25 June) when they beat Holland 3-1 in a tense final match which had to go well into extra time before being settled. The victory was the best possible ending for Argentina which has hosted the prestigious World Cup tournament over the past three-and-half weeks. The Dutch team, who took second place in the last World Cup final, were strongly tipped to come out on top this time, but the local team made sure hat their 80,000 supporters in the stadium would not have to settle for anything but first place.

SYNOPSIS: The early part of the match saw several close shots at goal, but neither side managed to get one in. The Argentine players, in dark shorts playing left to right, were putting on more pressure, and here Passarella came very near scoring.

The Dutch also put in some good shots, but the Argentine goalkeeper Fillol was there.

It was Mario Kempes who put the first one through for Argentina, after forty minutes of play.

With the score one-nil, Argentina kept up the pressure, and Passarella again very nearly added to their lead with a header, but Dutch goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed kept it out.

Just before half-time, Holland put in another drive with Rensenbrink getting a close-range shot very close, but Fillol was not letting anything through.

The break seemed to do the Dutch players good, and after building the pressure, Dirk Hanninga got the equaliser with a fine header.

As the final minutes ticked past, both teams pushed harder. Here, in the last minute of normal time, Rensenbrink's strong shot was saved by the post.

Into the first part of extra time, and Argentina's star Kempes put in the home side's second goal.

With renewed confidence, Argentine forged ahead, first with Luque almost scoring, and then, to the delight of the crowd, Bertoni put the seal on the match with a third goal Argentina three, Holland one.

With the marathon final over, the jubilant players swamped by ecstatic fans, and the tension of the match was released in scenes of wild joy. The players, some of them in tears, were hugged and cheered before going up on to the rostrum to receive the coveted gold cup.

The celebrations at the stadium were just the start. They spilled out into the centre of Buenos Aires afterwards, and millions of delighted fans, both local and overseas, joined in one of the biggest-ever parties which carried on through the night and on into Monday, which was declared a national holiday.