1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA–CONMEBOL play-off)

The 1978 FIFA World Cup UEFACONMEBOL qualification play-off was a two-legged home-and-away tie between the winners of UEFA Group 9, Hungary, and the last-placed team of the CONMEBOL final round, Bolivia. The matches were played on 29 October and 30 November 1977 in Budapest and La Paz, respectively.[1]

1978 FIFA World Cup qualification
(UEFACONMEBOL play-off)
Event1978 FIFA World Cup qualification
Hungary won 9–2 on aggregate and qualified for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
First leg
Date29 October 1977 (1977-10-29)
VenueNépstadion, Budapest
RefereeRamón Barreto (Uruguay)
Attendance60,000
Second leg
Date30 November 1977 (1977-11-30)
VenueEstadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
RefereeCharles Corver (Netherlands)
Attendance26,983
1974
1986

After beating Bolivia in both matches (6–0 and 3–2), Hungary won 4–0 on points (9–2 on aggregate) and therefore qualified for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.[2] It was Bolivia's closest attempt to qualify for the World Cup, until the country secured a place sixteen years later.

Qualified teams

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Team Confed. Qualification
  Hungary UEFA 1st. of Group 9
  Bolivia CONMEBOL Last of Final round

Venues

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Népstadion (left) and Estadio Hernando Siles, venues for the series

Match details

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First leg

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First leg
Hungary  6–0  Bolivia
Report
Attendance: 60,000

Second leg

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Second leg
Bolivia  2–3  Hungary
Aragonés   45+2' (pen.), 90+4' Report

References

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  1. ^ BOLIVIA-HUNGRÍA 1977. LA ELIMINATORIA DE LAS PARADOJAS by Carlos Mesa Gisbert on Revista Cábala, 20 Jul 2020
  2. ^ FIFA World Cup Argentina - Qualifiers on FIFA website (archived, 10 Oct 2017)