Soccer in Sun and Shadow

Goal by Bettega

It also happened at the ’78 World Cup. Italy defeated the home team 1–0.

The play that set up Italy’s goal drew a perfect triangle on the playing field: inside, the Argentine defenders were left as lost as blind men in a shootout. Antognoni slid the ball over to Bettega, who slapped it toward Rossi, who had his back to him. Rossi returned it with a backheel while Bettega infiltrated the box. Bettega then overpowered two players and beat the keeper Fillol with a tremendous left.

Though no one knew it then, the Italian team had already begun to win the World Cup that would take place four years later.