The World Cup in Germany 1974 impacted Argentine soccer in many ways. One of the least remembered events has the leader of Peronism as its protagonist: on July 1, 1974, at the age of 78, in the middle of the tournament, he died of a heart attack. Juan Domingo Peron.
The departure of the military government of Alejandro Lanussegave way to presidential elections, in which the chosen one of the founder of the justicialismo triumphed, Hector Campora. After his inauguration, the government proceeded to organize Perón’s return from exile, to call new electoral elections with the nomination of the renowned caudillo. The resounding victory in the voting was achieved together with his third wife and running mate, Maria Estela Martinez de Peron.
However, the health of the “first worker” did not accompany him in his executive functions. While he was deteriorating from various ailments, the vice president and part of the intimate committee, headed by the minister Jose Lopez Rega, led the nation in an uncertain direction. Finally, the death of Perón was the fourth of a president of the country in the exercise of power and the only one in full development of a World Cup.
At that time, in the World Cup in Germany, things were not easier. Those were times of an AFA in deep crisis, with a change of authorities in the midst of international competition. The national team had players of the stature of Rubén Ayala, Carlos Babington, Miguel Brindisi, René Houseman, Mario Kempes, Ubaldo Fillol, Roberto Perfumo, Roberto Telch, Enrique Wolff and Héctor Yazaldeamong others.
Unfortunately, the fixture did not favor the team led by Vladislao Cap. After overcoming the group stage, Argentina was riddled with the mythical “Mechanical orange” of Johan Cruyff4-0, to later lose 2-1 against Brazil. With no chance of continuing to the next section, he had to play the last game against the Democratic Republic of Germanywhen the news of the death of Juan Domingo Perón arrived.
The impact had repercussions on the national contingent and on the concentration of the selected team. at the hotel Metzkausen an altar was set up with the image of Perón. in the catholic church of Saint Lambertuslocated in the city of Mettmanna mass was celebrated in German and Spanish in memory of the deceased president.
The Argentine government decreed three days of mourning and a request to the FIFA to suspend the scheduled meeting. But there was no consensus in the sports body and the game was played, the result was a 1-1 tie with a goal from rene houseman. Before starting the confrontation between the teams, with black armbands and a flag at half mast, the game stopped with a minute of silence in the stadium of Gelsenkirchen. Although the same thing also happened in the meetings that day: Brazil – Netherlands, Sweden – Yugoslavia and Poland – West Germany. The tribute to Perón transcended football borders and reached unimaginable distances.
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