1978 FIFA World Cup
Hosted by Argentina. Mario Kempes won both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball.
The 1978 FIFA World Cup at a glance
The 1978 FIFA World Cup was hosted by Argentina and contested by 16 teams over 38 matches, producing 102 goals (2.68 per match). Mario Kempes won both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball. The final, Argentina 3-1 Netherlands (a.e.t.), was played at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires.
Mario Kempes of Argentina won the Golden Boot with 6 goals. Scoring rate of 2.68 goals per match was 0.13 higher than the previous edition's 2.55. Final standings: 1st Argentina, 2nd Netherlands, 3rd Brazil, 4th Italy.
Final
Tournament
1978 FIFA World Cup records
| Champion | Argentina |
| Runner-up | Netherlands |
| Third place | Brazil |
| Fourth place | Italy |
| Final score | Argentina 3-1 Netherlands (a.e.t.) |
| Final venue | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires |
| Host country | Argentina |
| Teams | 16 |
| Matches | 38 |
| Goals | 102 |
| Goals per match | 2.68 |
| Top scorer | Mario Kempes (6 goals) |
| Top scorer nationality | Argentina |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1978 FIFA World Cup?
Argentina won the 1978 FIFA World Cup, beating Netherlands 3-1 Netherlands (a.e.t.) in the final at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires.
Where was the 1978 World Cup held?
The 1978 FIFA World Cup was hosted by Argentina. The final was played at Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires.
Who was the top scorer at the 1978 World Cup?
Mario Kempes of Argentina was the top scorer at the 1978 FIFA World Cup with 6 goals.
How many teams and matches were at the 1978 World Cup?
16 teams played at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, totalling 38 matches and 102 goals — an average of 2.68 goals per match across roughly 21 days.
Who finished 3rd and 4th at the 1978 World Cup?
Brazil finished third and Italy finished fourth at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
How did the 1978 World Cup differ from the previous edition?
The previous FIFA World Cup, in 1974, was won by West Germany (97 goals across 38 matches; 2.55 goals per match). The 1978 edition produced 102 goals across 38 matches (2.68 per match) and was won by Argentina.
What is the significance of the 1978 World Cup?
Mario Kempes won both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball.
Can I get 1978 World Cup historical data via API?
Yes. TheStatsAPI provides historical FIFA World Cup data going back to 1930, including match results, lineups, top scorers, final standings, and team appearance records. Query historical endpoints with year=1978 to retrieve the full dataset.
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