A LAST POST

Argentina v Holland: World Cup Final:
Sunday 25th June 1978:

Argentine coach Cesar Menotti along with twenty-five million of his people could only watch and pray Robbie Rensinbrink fluffed his lines in this surely,
the last great act of the 1978 World cup.

A dramatic late equaliser on eighty-two minutes from the head of substitute Dirk Nanninga had galvanised the Dutch and left the Argentines on their knees. In the dying moments of normal time it appeared the dream of victory on home soil was about to be abruptly ended.

For a long free-kick from the classic Ajax defender Rudi Krol handed winger Robbie Rensinbrink a golden opportunity to cement his name into the annals of World Cup legends. As Rensinbrink picked out his spot and prepared to fire low past keeper Ubaldo Filiol, many would argue and rightly Argentina were about to receive their just rewards.

Because undoubtedly President Jorge Videla's military Junta had conspired throughout to bribe and bully in ensuring Menotti's team made the final. The Peruvian's 6-0 cowardly capitulation that handed the Argentines the necessary four goals, plus two thrown in for good measure forever staining Mundial 78 and both nations.

American PR company Burtson-Marsteller were hired by Videla's murderous regime for an original fee of $1million dollars a year to give them an outward image of respectability. Whilst innocents were snatched from their homes at midnight never to be seen again.

Hung on meat hooks, thrown off planes into the dark vast expanses of the river plate. Electrocuted with cattle prods, made to watch as their wives, daughters and sons were raped before their eyes. This was the reality behind the dark veiled curtain of the 1978 World Cup.

To make a dollar Burston-Marsteller executives made a pact with the devil, but even they remained helpless when Robbie Rensinbrink took aim. Their infamous phrase invented for this public charade of normality: 'Twenty-five Million Argentines will play in the World cup'.

As a nation prayed for the Dutchman to miss Rensinbrink's shot hit the post and fell wide. Twenty-five million breathed again and Argentina remained alive. Extra time and glory followed.

But the killing went on.

John ludden
Cfieldsoffire@aol.com