In the final, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time, with player of the tournament Mario Kempes scoring two goals against a Johan Cruyff-deprived Dutch team that had refused to play in the World Cup.
Menotti opted not to select 17-year-old great Diego Maradona, who had made his international debut a year earlier.
Reacting to Menotti's death, Argentinian President Javier Mellí expressed his “deep sadness at the departure of the leader of a team that has given the country one of the greatest joys” at X.
Menotti was also fondly remembered in Mexico, where he took charge of the national team between 1991 and 1992, followed by stints with club teams Puebla and Tecos between 2006 and 2007 – his last years as coach. It was the last job.
Former international Carlos Hermosillo wrote on X, “Teacher of teachers, the greatest for me.”
Hermosillo, now a television commentator on Fox Sports, said that Menotti had supported him in eventually becoming “the most outstanding Mexican goal scorer”.
