Group A of the 1978 FIFA World Cup was one of two groups of nations competing for the De facto semi-finals the 1978 FIFA World Cup. The group's first round of matches began on 14 June and its last matches were played on 21 June. All six group matches were played either at the Estadio Chateau Carreras in Córdoba, or the Estadio Monumental in the capital Buenos Aires. The group consisted of West Germany (the Defending Champions) as well as the Netherlands (the former runners up), Italy and Austria. The Netherlands advanced to the final match, and Italy advanced to the match for third place.

Qualified teams The winners of Group 1 and 3 and the runners-up of Group 2 and 4 qualified for Group A of the second round.

Group Winners 1 3 Group Runners-up 2 4

Standings

Matches

Austria vs Netherlands After an unconvincing group stage performance the Netherlands knew they had to play better if they were to qualify for the finals, and took on surprise qualifiers Austria in their first game. They started well when an unmarked Ernie Brandts headed in Arie Haan's free kick. The Dutch then won a penalty kick after Gerhard Breitenberger fouled Wim Jansen and Rob Rensenbrink neatly scored. Rensenbrink then took advantage of some poor defending to provide assist for Johnny Rep to score on either side of half time. Austria which created several chances and were unlucky to score in the first half got one back in the eightieth minute when defender Erich Obermayer scored a brilliant lob over the Dutch goalkeeper for a goal. The Dutch weren't to be deterred as Rensenbrink provided yet another assist this time Willy van de Kerkhof to score just two minutes later.

GK 1 Friedl KonciliaDF 2 Robert Sara (c)DF 3 Erich ObermayerDF 4 Gerhard BreitenbergerDF 5 Bruno PezzeyMF 7 Josef HickersbergerMF 8 Herbert ProhaskaMF 11 Kurt JaraMF 12 Eduard KriegerFW 9 Hans KranklFW 10 Wilhelm KreuzManager:Helmut Senekowitsch GK 1 Piet SchrijversDF 2 Jan PoortvlietDF 5 Ruud Krol (c)DF 7 Piet WildschutDF 22 Ernie Brandts MF 6 Wim JansenMF 9 Arie HaanMF 11 Willy van de KerkhofFW 10 René van de Kerkhof FW 12 Rob RensenbrinkFW 16 Johnny RepSubstitutions:MF 3 Dick Schoenaker DF 4 Adrie van Kraay Manager: Ernst Happel

Italy vs West Germany

GK 1 Dino Zoff (c)DF 2 Mauro BellugiDF 3 Antonio CabriniDF 5 Claudio GentileDF 8 Gaetano ScireaMF 9 Giancarlo Antognoni MF 10 Romeo BenettiMF 14 Marco TardelliMF 16 Franco CausioCF 18 Roberto BettegaCF 21 Paolo RossiSubstitutions:MF 15 Renato Zaccarelli Manager:Enzo Bearzot GK 1 Sepp MaierSW 5 Manfred KaltzRB 2 Berti Vogts (c)CB 4 Rolf RüssmannLB 3 Bernard DietzMF 6 Rainer BonhofMF 8 Herbert Zimmerman MF 10 Heinz Flohe MF 17 Bernd HoelzenbeinFW 9 Klaus FischerFW 11 Karl-Heinz RummeniggeSubstitute:DF 13 Harald Konopka MF 15 Erich Beer Manager:Helmut Schoen

Netherlands vs West Germany

This highly anticipated match was a repeat of the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final, with the Netherlands fielding six players who had played that day and West Germany four. The match official Ramón Barreto of Uruguay coincidentally had also been one of the linesmen at the 1974 final.

The 1974 final had started with the Dutch scoring within two minutes, and in this match there was another early goal, although it went the Germans' way. The Dutch goaltender Piet Schrijvers could only parry Rainer Bonhof's free kick right into the path of Rüdiger Abramczik, who headed home. The Netherlands equalized around the thirty-minute mark when Arie Haan let fly from 35 yards and into the top corner.

Knowing a draw would be enough Netherlands refrained from taking chances in the second half. Against the run of play West Germany were awarded a soft free-kick, the Dutch were complaining with the referee and did not keep their concentration Erich Beer crossed for Dieter Müller to power in a header. The goal gave the Netherlands the momentum to score though and eight minutes from time René van de Kerkhof took a pass from his twin brother Willy, cut inside a defender and smashed home. There would be a few more chances as Johnny Rep hit the woodwork and Schrijvers was forced to save from Beer.

The match ended in bizarre fashion, with substitute Dick Nanninga shown a yellow card for an off the ball incident and then seconds later referee Barreto showing the same player a red card for apparently laughing at the decision to give him a card. It took five minutes to restore order on the field as the bewildered Nanninga was led off.

GK 1 Piet SchrijversDF 2 Jan PoortvlietDF 5 Ruud Krol (c)DF 7 Piet Wildschut DF 22 Ernie BrandtsMF 6 Wim JansenMF 9 Arie HaanMF 11 Willy van de Kerkhof FW 10 René van de KerkhofFW 12 Rob RensenbrinkFW 16 Johnny RepSubstitutions:FW 18 Dick Nanninga Manager: Ernst Happel GK 1 Sepp Maier SW 5 Manfred KaltzRB 2 Berti Vogts (c)CB 4 Rolf RüssmannLB 3 Bernard DietzMF 6 Rainer BonhofMF 15 Erich BeerMF 17 Bernd HölzenbeinFW 7 Rüdiger AbramczikFW 11 Karl-Heinz RummeniggeFW 14 Dieter MüllerManager:Helmut Schön

Italy vs Austria

GK 1 Dino Zoff (c)DF 2 Mauro Bellugi DF 3 Antonio CabriniDF 5 Claudio GentileDF 8 Gaetano ScireaMF 10 Romeo BenettiMF 14 Marco TardelliMF 15 Renato ZaccarelliMF 16 Franco CausioCF 18 Roberto Bettega CF 21 Paolo RossiSubstitutions:DF 4 Antonello Cuccureddu FW 19 Francesco Graziani Manager:Enzo Bearzot GK 1 Friedl KonciliaDF 2 Robert Sara (c)DF 3 Erich ObermayerDF 5 Bruno PezzeyDF 14 Heinrich StrasserMF 7 Josef HickersbergerMF 8 Herbert ProhaskaMF 12 Eduard KriegerFW 9 Hans KranklFW 10 Wilhelm KreuzFW 18 Walter Schachner Substitutes:FW 19 Hans Pirkner Manager:Helmut Senekowitsch

Austria vs West Germany

Italy vs Netherlands This match was a semi-final in all but name with the winner being assured a place in the final, although the Netherlands could advance with a draw and a Germany draw or loss. Italy started the positive and scored when Ernie Brandts in an attempt to stop Roberto Bettega only succeeded in putting the ball into his own net. The goal would have consequences for the Netherlands as Piet Schrijvers was injured on the play and had to be stretchered off for Jan Jongbloed. Italy dominated the remainder of the first half. In a physical match Johnny Rep was cautioned for fouling Romeo Benetti, who was later to pick up a yellow card himself for fouling Rensenbrink, meaning the Italian defender would miss the final should Italy reach it. Early in the second half Arie Haan was cautioned for a challenge on Marco Tardelli who later also picked up a yellow card meaning he too would miss Italy's next match. Some felt that Antonio Cabrini's challenge on Haan many felt warranted a red card, not just a yellow. Shortly after half time Brandts, who had earlier scored an own goal, blasted home a shot to equalize. Then fourteen minutes from time Haan hit an audacious shot 30 yards out that went off Zoff's left post and into the net.

GK 1 Dino Zoff (c)DF 3 Antonio Cabrini DF 4 Antonello CuccuredduDF 5 Claudio GentileDF 8 Gaetano ScireaMF 10 Romeo Benetti MF 14 Marco Tardelli MF 15 Renato ZaccarelliMF 16 Franco Causio CF 18 Roberto BettegaCF 21 Paolo RossiSubstitutions:MF 17 Claudio Sala FW 19 Francesco Graziani Manager:Enzo Bearzot GK 1 Piet Schrijvers DF 2 Jan PoortvlietDF 5 Ruud Krol (c)DF 6 Wim JansenDF 22 Ernie BrandtsMF 9 Arie Haan MF 11 Willy van de KerkhofMF 13 Johan NeeskensFW 10 René van de KerkhofFW 12 Rob RensenbrinkFW 16 Johnny Rep Substitutions:GK 8 Jan Jongbloed DF 4 Adrie van Kraay Manager: Ernst Happel

See also Austria at the FIFA World Cup Germany at the FIFA World Cup Italy at the FIFA World Cup Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup

References

Match reports