The 1977 Campeonato Nacional finals were the final matches of the 1977 Campeonato Nacional, the only league championships held during the 86th. season of the Argentine Primera División. The finals were played between Independiente (who contested their 3rd. Primera División final) and Talleres de Córdoba (first final for the club).Argentina 1977 - Campeonato Nacional by Osvaldo Gorgazzi on the rsssf.com

The finals (played under a two-legged tie) were held in La Doble Visera, home of C.A. Independiente, while the second match was held in Estadio La Boutique, onwed by Talleres. The finals are well remembered due to the fact that in the second match, Independiente could equalise the series with three of their players being sent off. With both matches having ended in a draw (1–1 and 2–2), Independiente won the series 2–1 based on the away goals rule, achieving their 11th. league title.

Independiente's performance in Córdoba has been called "epic",Independiente épico: el día que fue campeón con tres hombres menos at espn.com.ar. 25 Jan 2023 and, mostly, a "feat"A treinta años de la hazaña de Independiente on infobae.com. 25 Jan 2008A cuarenta años de la hazaña de Independiente en Córdoba on pagina12.com.ar. 25 Jan 2008Campeón con 8 jugadores: a 40 años de la gran hazaña by Juan Pablo González on La Nación. 24 Jan 2018 Moreover, many Independiente fans regard this final as "the greatest feat in the history of the club".A 40 años de la hazaña más grande at clubaindependiente.com.ar, 25 Jan 2018

Background

As the Estadio Olímpico was not yet finished (it was being refurbished for the 1978 World Cup), Talleres played their home games at its ground in the Barrio Jardín Espinosa neighborhood, in the southeast of the city. The province (and the whole country) was ruled with an iron fist by the military dictatorship, whose most prominent figure was general Luciano Benjamín Menéndez.

The rumors circulating in Córdoba were simple and unequivocal. The military leaders wanted to "give the people of Córdoba some joy." Talleres had caused a football revolution in the province when it began to compete in the national tournaments of 1974, 1975, and 1976, and it seemed that their time to become champions had finally arrived.

In 2021, journalist Ernesto Cherquis Bialo revealed that then president of AFA Julio Grondona had warned Indpendiente manager José Pastoriza about referee Roberto Barreiro's performances refereeing Talleres de Córdoba, stating that the Cordobese team had never lost in six matches refereed by him. Grondona also told Pastoriza that Barreiro had sent off four Talleres rivals in four matches, as well as awarding Talleres a penalty kick in four out of six matches. Grondona also highlighted the high influence of general Menéndez over Cordobese football and his increasing pressure for Talleres to win a championship.Historia secreta de la noche más épica del fútbol argentino by Ernesto Cherquis Bialo on infobae.com. 24 Jan 2021

1977 had not been a good year for Roberto Barreiro, the experienced referee chosen to officate the final. He had officiated the relegation playoff in November of that year, when Platense played against Lanús in a full-attendance San Lorenzo Stadium. Barreiro violated the rules of the time, allowing penalties to continue at the same goal after the first series of five shots ended in a draw. Furthermore, he failed to notice that a Platense player —goalkeeper Osmar Miguelucci— and a Lanús midfielder —Julio Crespo— had not taken their penalties, allowing Miguel Juárez and Orlando Cárdenas to take them a second time in their place, something that was not permitted until the entire team had taken their penalty.La verdadera historia de la noche de los penales by Marcelo Calvente on lastimaanadiemaestro.com. 18 Jun 2020 That match, known as "the night of the penalties" or "the most dramatic night in Argentine football",1977. La noche más dramática del fútbol argentino by Carlos Ferreira on elgrafico.com.ar, 9 Dec 2023 had a total of 22 penalties kicked, with goalkeeper Miguelucci stopping four of them. Platense won the shoot out 8–7 to secure their stay in Primera División while Lanús was relegated to Primera B Metropolitana.La épica definición entre Platense y Lanús: 22 penales y un error arbitral at urgente24.com. 16 Nov 2023

Feeling harmed by Barreiro's errors, Lanús sued the Association. Several years after, the court rouled in favor of the club and Lanús was compensated.

Qualified teams Team Previous app. Independiente 1912 , 1932 Talleres (C) (none)

Venues

Road to the final Participant teams were divided into four zones of four teams each, playing in a double round-robin tournament. The best placed team of each zone qualified for the semifinals, played under a two-legged system."Argentina: 1ra. División AFA 1977 Campeonato Nacional - Ronda Final" by José Carluccio. 18 Jun 2010

Independiente Round Talleres (C) OpponentResult Group stage OpponentResult Huracán 4–2 (A) Matchday 1 Colón 1–5 (A) Atlanta 2–0 (H) Matchday 2 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 2–0 (H) All Boys 3–2 (A)Matchday 3 River Plate 0–3 (A) Unión (SF) 2–2 (H) Matchday 4 Sarmiento (R) 4–2 (H) Belgrano (C) 1–2 (A) Matchday 5 Racing 2–1 (A) Atlético Ledesma 2–0 (H) Matchday 6 Vélez Sarsfield 2–0 (A) Argentinos Juniors 2–0 (A) Matchday 7 Platense 2–1 (H) Huracán 2–0 (H) Matchday 8 Colón 5–1 (H) Atlanta 2–0 (A) Matchday 9 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 3–0 (A) All Boys 3–0 (H) Matchday 10 River Plate 1–0 (H) Unión (SF) 3–2 (A) Matchday 11 Sarmiento (R) 1–1 (A) Belgrano (C) 3–0 (H) Matchday 12 Racing 1–0 (H) Atlético Ledesma 0–1 (A) Matchday 13 Vélez Sarsfield 2–2 (H) Argentinos Juniors 1–2 (H) Matchday 14 Platense 1–4 (A) Group D winners Pos.Team Pts W T L Pl 1 Independiente 21101314 2 Belgrano (C) 1983314 3 Huracán 1563514 4 Atlanta 1353614Final standings Group E winners Pos. Team Pts W T L Pl 1 Talleres (C) 2492314 2 Racing 1765314 3 River Plate 1571614 4 Vélez Sarsfield 1563514 Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg Knockout stage Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg Estudiantes (LP) 4–2 1–1 (A) 3–1 (H) Semifinals Newell's Old Boys 2–1 1–1 (H) 1–0 (A)

Notes

Pre-match Fans from neighboring provinces arrived in Córdoba to support Talleres, without even knowing if they would get a ticket. From very early on, the stadium was at its full capacity, including the temporary stands erected to increase its capacity. Celebrations before the match included paratroopers, military bands, acrobatic displays. Even supporters of C.A. Belgrano cheered on their eternal rival.La Voz del Interior. Jan 26, 1978

Matches

First leg

Second leg

Independiente took the lead in the 29th. minute with a header by striker Norberto Outes, but in the 60th minute referee Roberto Barreiro awarded a penalty kick to Talleres which was fiercely debated by Independiente players. As the referee keep on his decission, winger Ricardo Cherini equalised the match. In the 70th minute, Talleres' Ángel Bocanelli apparently touched the ball with his hand before scoring the 2–1 for his team. However, the foul by the Talleres striker was clearly visible on the national television broadcast on Canal 7.

As the Independiente players loudly claimed the referee to invalidate the goal, Barreiro sent off Rubén Galván, Omar Larrosa, and Enzo Trossero (in that order), abruptly leaving the visiting team with three players less on the field.Hoy te convertís en héroe #2: Ricardo Bochini vs. Talleres on El Gráfico. 22 Apr 2015

Independiente players decided to leave the field in protest,Hazaña al rojo vivo by Carlos Viacava on laprensa.com.ar. 8 Apr 2020 but manager José Pastoriza insisted on remaining on the pitch to continue the game. Pastoriza also made two substitutions (Mariano Biondi and Daniel Bertoni entered the field) to revert the situation. In the 83th minute, Pagnanini passed to Bochini in the midfield zone, Bochini dribbled an opponent before a short pass to Bertoni, who quickly passed the ball to Biondi, he dribbled goalkeeper Guidbaudo before passing to Bochini, who came running. The number 10 shot to score the 2nd goal for his team. After equalising, Independiente retreated to their own goal while Talleres bombarded them with shots, but couldn't find the net for a third goal. Two fine saves from Rigante, two shots from Boccanelli that went just wide, and little else before the final whistle.

GK 1 Rubén GuibaudoDF 4 Eduardo AstudilloDF 2 Luis Galván DF 6 Víctor BinelloDF 3 Victorio OcañoMF 8 José O. Reinaldi MF 5 Luis A. LudueñaMF 10 Daniel ValenciaFW 7 Ángel BocanelliFW 9 Humberto BravoFW 11 Ricardo CheriniSubstitutes:MF Antonio Syeyyguil Manager: Roberto Saporiti

GK 1 Roberto RiganteDF 4 Rubén PagnaniniDF 2 Hugo Villaverde DF 6 Enzo Trossero DF 3 Osvaldo PérezMF 8 Omar Larrosa MF 5 Rubén Galván MF 10 Ricardo BochiniFW 7 Pedro Magallanes FW 9 Norberto Outes FW 11 César Brítez Substitutes: MF Mariano Biondi FW Daniel Bertoni Manager: José Pastoriza

Aftermath

Independiente's performance in Córdoba has been called "epic" and mostly, a "feat" while many Independiente fans regard this final as "the greatest feat in the history of the club". Sports magazine El Gráfico defined the match as "one of the biggest feats in the history of Argentine football",Hoy te convertís en héroe #2: Ricardo Bochini vs. Talleres on El Gráfico. 22 Apr 2015 Football historian and journalist Alejandro Fabbri described the result as "a miracle" for Independiente.

Independiente players that had been sent off were severely punished: Enzo Trossero was suspended for 12 matches, while Rubén Galván y Omar Larrosa received less, with 6 matches each. As all of them were then called up by César Menotti to play for Argentina during the team's preparation for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, they served their time off the pitch while training with the national team. Referee Roberto Barreiro continued active for one season more, then retiring from football.La epopeya de Independiente en Córdoba by Alejandro Fabbri on his website

References