Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness were Liverpool’s sole representatives at the 1978 World Cup, but despite a memorable win over a great Netherlands side, they couldn’t make an impact on the tournament.
Argentina won the 1978 World Cup on their own soil, and made sure it was stunning spectacle for all involved.
The host’s games in front of their own fans were particularly memorable, with ticker-tape strewn across the pitches and incredible noise coming from the stands. It gave Cesar Luis Menotti’s team a huge advantage.
The Albiceleste defeated the Netherlands in the final, as the Dutch again endured heartbreak having lost the previous final, four years earlier, to West Germany in the 1974.
In the ’78 final, it was fitting that undisputed star of the tournament Mario Kempes was the hero in the showcase event at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental. He scored twice to finish the competition with six goals.
That man Kempes opened the scoring after 38 minutes, and it was looking like being the only goal of the game until Dick Nanninga equalised with eight minutes left to take the game into extra time.
Kempes got his second in the 105th minute before Daniel Bertoni wrapped it up with five minutes remaining. This was Argentina’s first-ever World Cup triumph, their second coming eight years later in Mexico.
Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness just fall short
Scotland 3-2 Netherlands
June 11, 1978 | Estadio Ciudad de Mendoza
Goalscorers
**Scotland:**Dalglish (44′)Gemmill (47′ pen, 68′) **Netherlands:**Rensenbrink (34′ pen)Rep (71′)
The Lineups
Scotland (4-4-1-1)
1. Rough
13. Kennedy
14. Forsyth
4. Buchan
3. Donachie
10. Hartford
18. Souness
6. Rioch
15. Gemmill
8. Dalglish
9. Jordan
Netherlands (3-4-3)
8. Jongbloed
20. Suurbier
5. Krol
17. Rijsbergen
6. Jansen
13. Neeskens
11. W. van de Kerkhof
2. Poortvliet
10. R. van de Kerkhof
16. Rep
12. Rensenbrink
Trivia: Rob Rensenbrink’s opener was the 1,000th goal in World Cup history.
As they had in 1974, England failed to qualify as Italy topped their qualifying group on goal difference, so it was left to Ally MacLeod’s Scotland side to represent the United Kingdom.
Argentina ’78 saw two of Liverpool’s greatest players of all time, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness, form a major part of Scotland’s assault on the competition.
With the likes of Archie Gemmill, Joe Jordan and Bruce Rioch also in the squad, much was expected of them in South America. However, they did not deliver.
Scotland’s first game against Peru was a disaster. Despite Jordan opening the scoring, they lost 3-1 and were immediately put on the back foot.
An equally disastrous match followed, as MacLeod’s men could only draw with huge underdogs Iran. Dalglish started both games but failed to fire, while Souness was surprisingly left out on both occasions.
The midfielder returned for the final group game against the Netherlands, with Scotland having to beat one of the world’s best sides by three clear goals in order to progress to the second round.
Both Liverpool stars put in terrific performances, with Souness proving a point to MacLeod having been dropped and Dalglish cancelling out Rob Rensenbrink’s penalty on the stroke of half time.
Two goals from Gemmill, one of which was one of the most memorable World Cup goals in history, gave the Tartan Army a real chance with a quarter of the game remaining, but Johnny Rep’s effort soon after sunk the Scots.
They were sent packing, with Souness and Dalglish left to rue a glorious opportunity to announce themselves properly on the biggest stage in world football.
Perhaps surprisingly, they were the only two Liverpool players to feature in Argentina.