Though this story is based on real events, its characters are fictionalized
and not intended to resemble or discredit any actual persons.
MONTHS BEFORE THE 1978 WORLD CUP
-Down! -Don't hurt us.
Easy, doll. This has nothing to do with you.
If I were you, I wouldn't leave to go to the World Cup.
Sure you don't want to press charges?
ARGENTINA WINNER
Johan, are you going to Argentina?
I will not go to Argentina.
I need time to be with my family
and for other activities aside from football.
EL PRESIDENTE: CORRUPTION GAME
Hey, this is too much. I've done everything.
I've been a reporter, a taxi driver, you name it.
But this is humiliating.
I was okay selling candies, but there's no need to dress like an old lady.
Right? Besides, the World Cup is in less than a week.
And I won't continue until you stop with this abuse of power.
It's ridiculous. I agree with you.
Fine, we have a deal. Great. Listen, I'll keep the candy.
Finally! Now that we have a deal,
we can start watching this crazy World Cup.
Poor João.
The Milan Symphony Orchestra was coming.
We called it off. We'll use Argentinian talent.
Real musicians are all communists.
Look, this is the glorious military band of the Regiment of Patricians.
-We... -Boss's orders.
Juárez, will you honor any of your promises to me?
I praise Argentina in the media and you keep screwing me over.
Relax. If the bosses are happy, it will be a fucking success.
We have to indulge them.
JORGE RAFAEL VIDELA ARGENTINE DICTATOR AND GENOCIDE
Who was the imbecile?
The junta was clear. Only white doves. Who was the idiot?
We want to send a message of peace, damn it...
We don't want black doves.
Here.
For your kids.
A new pet.
Welcome to the saddest, bloodiest and most costly World Cup in history.
It entertained people and covered up the atrocities of the military.
Football was the perfect smoke screen to cover up political conflicts.
However, the only thing that mattered to Havelange
was for the World Cup to have a good outcome.
30 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
It's the eve of the World Cup.
Here in Switzerland, our friend Käser
was far from ready to give up.
EGBERT - DD-205/4 SPY
GREGOR MINSKY INTERNATIONAL REFEREE
UN UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
In Argentina, a few days before the World Cup,
the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo demand their children back,
defying the military dictatorship.
DOZENS OF MOTHERS MET AT PLAZA DE MAYO
Football is like a dove of peace, sending a message wherever it goes.
I stopped a war
with football.
Honey, do you like that dove of peace speech?
It's a little too much, right?
I'd like to ask you something.
I have a friend who's looking for her son, who disappeared.
Could you put me in touch with the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo?
Maybe they could help with some clue,
some information.
What? Are you crazy?
Imagine if the Argentine military
finds out that my wife supports the women at Plaza de Mayo?
What would they think? That I am supporting them.
You can't imagine the trouble it could be.
These people are crazy.
If they find out, they could do anything.
I'm talking about my speech. For the opening.
I've been thinking about it for ages. I need you.
Listen.
Behind a great man, there's always what?
A great woman, right?
Indeed.
I'm always behind.
Hey. It's...
Honey, I'm sorry, I have to deal with an urgent issue, okay?
I'll be right back.
You must be wondering what the hell is Isabel doing with João
after the tense situation regarding the insurance.
Okay. The thing is
Isabel is hanging out with these new friends,
these girls...
Well, she's decided she has her own reasons to go to Argentina.
She didn't give a fuck about the Cup.
João!
The Italian and Hungarian delegations' rooms have no heating.
It seems the military broke the heater themselves.
They're making threats about reporting it to the press.
Football is the joy of people.
It's a social contract of fraternity
and coexistence.
As long as the World Cup is in Argentina,
General Videla wants to have just one speech at the opening,
his own.
28 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
We're good fighters
The World Cup is ours
As João dealt with the military and their insanities,
Castor made his debut as the protector of Brazilian football at the World Cup.
Oh, my...
It's going to be sweet to take the Cup from these Argentines.
I don't know. It's more likely that they will take the Cup from us.
I won't let it happen.
That's why I'm here. Secretary of transparency.
I'll have a little talk with our brothers to reach an agreement.
You know, within the military, the conversations are more...
civilized, right?
I want to get to Mar del Plata soon.
The beaches aren't that great,
but their casinos rock.
The World Cup is ours
Nobody is a match for the Brazilians
What shall we do, General?
We've identified some punks who intend to interfere with the broadcast.
-Apparently, they have a copy. -Let them try.
We'll disrupt the interference and locate the bums.
We are hosting the World Cup so the world knows
that we Argentines are humane and right.
And for Argentines to be happy.
I want no mistakes.
I'm not sure you understand the gravity of the situation.
It should be here.
I mean, a World Cup in black and white
is like going back in time.
It's a disaster.
No, it doesn't work.
And this one?
Clearly, our Argentinian friends are not tech-savvy.
It worked last night.
Juárez, the sponsors want to jump ship.
FIFA must ensure a good color TV broadcast to the world.
My people know what they're doing.
I have the technicians.
Your technicians won't be able to stop the broadcast
in case of a fucking interference.
We accuse the military regime and its accomplices,
the IMF, CIA and FIFA
of having blood on their hands.
This is terrible, Juárez.
They are involving FIFA directly.
That's why Videla wants full control of the broadcast.
There, there.
Well, this is what you call a stroke of luck.
Today is a joyous day for our country,
the nation of Argentina.
I hereby open the 11th
Football World Cup Championship of 1978,
marked by peace.
Long live the homeland!
To a great World Cup, in peace and harmony.
From your lips to God's ears, Mr. President.
24 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
The most fun things in the life of a sport executive
are cocktail parties.
Where all delegations meet,
where important decisions are made,
and you eat and drink for free.
What do you think, Havelange? This is a great platform!
Now the world will know how great we can be. This will be unprecedented.
By the way, the Brazilian delegation is going to Mar del Plata,
and I heard they have a wonderful hotel,
with an amazing casino.
If I were you, I'd show up there.
Let's see if luck is on our side.
-Excuse me. -Sure.
Hey! Mr. President. Nice to see you.
Lower your voice. Don't overdo it.
Okay?
This was supposed to be a fancy reception.
It seems they are letting anyone in.
It seems like it.
Good night, sleep well.
Since when do you think I sleep well?
I don't know.
Since you stopped sleeping with me.
Aren't you the one spending your nights awake?
You have a lot of energy.
What do you mean?
I see how close you are with Castor.
In the past, you thought
he was a useless person, a crook. Why has it changed now?
Castor is a friend of our family.
You've always said that.
By the way, you've chosen him to take care of me and my daughter, right?
Is that the reason you came back from Zurich?
To sleep with our good friend, Castor, isn't that right?
Or maybe it's you who has something to tell me.
Could it be?
Or should I call Faye and ask her?
Call Faye.
Don't change the subject.
Say it, Isabel, say it. Did you fuck Castor?
-Say it! Did you fuck him? -Let me go!
How dare you disrespect me like this?
After all I've done for you.
After all those papers you made me sign to insure this ridiculous World Cup.
After mortgaging our family's assets because of your obsession.
Answer my question! Did you fuck him or not?
Answer me!
João, your brain only works for business.
You know how to make the ball roll.
I asked you for a favor, and you couldn't do it.
Of course.
-Do you want to know why I talk to Castor? -I do!
Because he listens to me.
Unlike you.
-Where are you going? -To Mar del Plata.
I'll see my daughter, my grandson, and take care of my life.
Marital issues?
We're all under a lot of stress.
She went to Mar del Plata with Vitória.
Can you find out what she's doing there? Discreetly, of course.
Sure, but what happened? Did you notice something odd?
17.
18.
I thought you were braver.
-What are you doing here? -Ask for one more.
It's a shitty number.
It's risky.
If you were afraid of taking risks, you wouldn't be here. Right?
21. The house, 20.
LIBERTY
From an economic point of view, the World Cup was a failure.
For foreign fans, the military presence
made Argentina an unattractive destination.
For the locals, unfortunately, the tickets were extremely expensive.
Now, regarding football, things looked much better
since Argentina had won the first two matches.
ID?
Your ID.
I don't have it with me...
-Come with us. You're under arrest. -No, this is a mistake.
-What happened? -It was cut off.
Let's see.
How long will you keep me here?
This is very disrespectful.
I find this quite unsportsmanlike.
I wasn't even read my rights.
There's no place to poop.
-I don't know if you're aware, but... -Shut up!
Who are you?
I've told you many times, sir.
I'm the narrator of this thing. The narrator.
Really? Well, narrate everything you know then. Confess!
For fuck's sake.
Look.
The way I see it,
the problem begins
when Argentina loses against Italy and is second in its group.
-What are you saying? It can't lose. -I'm not saying it can lose. It lost.
There's nothing to do. It lost.
And that's not all, the plot thickens.
Now that the suckers came in second,
they'll have to play in Mar del Plata against the other team.
Unfortunately for João, it's none other than Brazil.
Do you get the irony of fate, man?
His beloved national team is now his greatest danger.
Get it? The whims of football.
Yes!
Brazil!
Let's go!`
You should focus on what happens on the field.
Never.
I do everything, except messing with what happens on the field.
I was an Olympian twice, understand?
Mr. Havelange!
You have no military training, right?
To us, the military, the chain of command is very important.
See what happens if I now say, "Orders, Admiral!"
-And what happens when the admiral says... -Soldiers!
I order you to do whatever it takes
to ensure our team makes it to the final match of our glorious Cup.
14 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
Meanwhile, Faye was also pulling the strings.
How many times do I have to tell you, for fuck's sake?
You messed with the wrong narrator.
Now you will stay in there, asshole.
Hang on.
I do whatever I want in this story, okay?
Hello?
Yes, they had me locked in there.
They didn't give me anything to eat or drink.
Not even the Wi-Fi password.
It's 11:30 a.m. in the Argentine Republic...
Now João had to go to Mar del Plata
to witness the most important games of the Cup.
Argentina's and, of course, Brazil's.
They will ask us to let Argentina win.
To give those motherfuckers the World Cup.
I will not accept anything other than victory.
Are you really considering that?
I've never set up a game.
Neither have I.
If they point a gun to my head,
it should not be against my team.
Just thinking about it...
So you understand what I mean, right?
-But it's what you think, of course. -You leave some...
João, what are you doing here?
Welcome, Mr. President.
Wow.
What a coincidence.
Finding you two together.
Do you believe in coincidences?
I believe in coincidences.
But there's none here.
I'm with the Brazilian team and Isabel is with her family.
I see.
What about the city?
Did you have time to see it? Is it nice?
Or did you stay at the hotel?
It's cold. Very cold.
I went to buy some stuff to...
Orders from the boss.
He wants us to do it personally.
Don't fuck with me, João.
I'm a target too.
One more thing.
What you asked me for.
I didn't look.
Hello.
I need to talk to General Rocha.
Thanks.
10 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
As the secretary of transparency for the CBD,
I am against this kind of practice.
Now, speaking...
as a football supporter and fan, I'd say this is a big screw-up.
And what are you going to do?
Will you leak to the press that we fixed a game?
You?
Castor de Andrade, the most honest man in Brazil.
I won't let you do this.
We can be friends, but you can't tell me what to do.
You can't give me any orders.
Get over yourself.
So now I'm your friend, right?
So, when you need a favor, I'm your friend.
It's funny how you treat people like objects.
You use everyone around you.
You did this to me.
Like you did to your brother.
To Isabel.
And now, to the Brazilian team.
Are you criticizing my character? I have morals, man.
-I have morals. -What fucking morals?
What kind of morals do you have? Morals, my ass.
You're vain! Selfish!
Those are your morals.
Morals, my ass. Friends, my ass.
You have no friends.
You call anyone a "friend."
Anyone, any person.
Any dictator who offers you power, you treat as a friend.
I don't care about that, but my Isabel, you're messing...
-Your Isabel? -Yes, my Isabel.
Is she?
Is she yours?
She isn't. You know why? Because you didn't care for her.
You didn't look after her.
-You didn't fuck her well. -Son of a bitch! Traitor.
Who's the traitor here?
Who's the traitor?
Who's the traitor, João?
I won't say I never betrayed anyone,
but football is fucking sacred.
If one day,
I had to betray my Bangu,
or my national team,
fucking hell.
I'd shoot myself in the head.
Get out of here.
Get the fuck out.
Traitor.
How ironic, Havelange.
A few years ago, you used to be the most honest man in this world.
We lost a World Cup because of your honesty.
And a lot of money too.
But there's those who lost their wives, right?
It's like that saying,
"What goes around comes around."
You know what?
Maybe Argentina can win by itself.
If Brazil plays badly and Argentina plays well,
maybe this won't be necessary.
-What do you mean? -It's about faith.
-I am a man of faith. -What?
Nice to see you again.
Havelange! Son of a bitch!
At last! Finally we got rid of this fucking film
and can continue with our story.
-What? Have you lost your mind? -It wasn't going to work.
The money wasn't enough?
Are you stupid?
It was an order. You have to obey, not think.
Do you want to get us both killed?
João!
Argentina and Brazil were tied before the last match.
Brazil was playing Poland, Argentina was against Peru.
Argentina could try motivating the Polish, but that didn't guarantee anything.
What had to be guaranteed, and what Salinas was just realizing...
was Peru's defeat.
-Perhaps I wasn't clear. -No, Mr. President.
Everything was very clear.
-It just wasn't possible. -Wasn't possible? Look at that.
That's something those simpletons playing football say.
"Winning wasn't possible."
In this case, you have orders.
Right?
I said I would try, but...
If Argentina doesn't get to the final, it's all over.
The operation to place bombs in the stadium is underway.
GENERAL MASSERA ARGENTINE DICTATOR AND GENOCIDE
We have the explosives, the men...
I just call and give the order.
I think we could benefit more from a so-called terrorist attack
than a lost World Cup. I think it would even be better for us.
8 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
Who are the main ones?
A bullet's better than asphyxiation.
No, Juárez, calm down.
Is this how this went down?
No way, man. Football is the cleanest thing.
Imagine a penalty kick against you.
You can choose which side to take.
Left...
or right.
It's an easy choice that can change your life.
Do you think I'm stupid?
You thought I wouldn't suspect it?
What's hard to face...
is that the woman I was with for years,
to whom I gave a home, a daughter, a grandson,
cheated on me during my World Cup.
Tell me. Why?
What for?
To humiliate me in front of everyone? Was that it?
To ruin the moment I've worked so many years for.
Was that it?
My life, unlike yours,
is not ruled by FIFA's schedule.
My life is more than that.
It has companionship. It has pleasure.
Affection. Fun.
We haven't had that for a while, João.
There's no excuse for what you did. No excuse.
Affection? Fun?
This attitude...
it's so immature.
Going to bed with a crook, a gangster.
Who sees me!
Who looks at me! Who listens to me!
Does Faye think the same?
It seems like she's sleeping with an equally immoral man.
You don't know what you're talking about.
I don't cheat on my wife.
Fun? Affection?
Hey, you don't have to be suffering all the time, you know?
I almost feel guilty for changing you that day.
You know?
Are you feeling better?
Just a minor advantage, gentlemen.
It's not a big deal.
The Dasslers could lend a hand.
Havelange! Over here, please!
Don't you think it would be unsportsmanlike?
On the contrary.
Our sportsmanship led us to make this decision.
This way, everyone will be able
to enjoy this wonderful Cup from their homes.
Thank you.
6 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
Just as the military wanted, Brazil played earlier
so the Argentinian team would know the result before their own match.
But things did not go as they planned.
Brazil won three to one.
That implied...
As we all know,
the chain always breaks at its weakest link.
How could I ask such a thing of them?
Do you wanna cry? Don't you want to be FIFA's vice president?
Fix this crap, Salinas, or forget about FIFA.
I understand, João, but...
-my Peruvian heart is broken. -What heart?
What heart, damn it?
What heart?
Convince them!
Wise men say that to get a good result,
it's enough to bribe some players of the other team
and the referee.
Gregor Minsky?
Come on!
Goal!
End of the first half.
Even with Argentina winning by two goals, the tension was unbearable.
They still needed two more goals.
Let's implement Plan B.
End of the first half.
The Argentine team...
Let's go champions! Let's go champions!
Players.
Your families are waiting for you.
God willing, you'll all return home safe.
We know where your parents live,
where your children live.
They will surely be very happy to see you at home again.
Having said that, I wish you a great second half.
Kissinger witnessed, that day,
the agreement between the dictatorships of Peru and Argentina.
After all, both were part of Operation Condor.
Let them score, motherfucker.
Goal!
Thus began the deluge of goals that would take Argentina to the final.
Six.
Due to the goal difference, Argentina beat Brazil
and qualified for the final with the Netherlands,
which, as you know, played the Cup without its best player.
Hi.
Would you like to see the final match on the field?
Let's go, General.
You first.
Again.
Take that, you fucking soldier.
Take that, Videla, you son of a bitch!
2 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP FINAL
The long-awaited final was starting.
Won with a great match by Mario Alberto Kempes.
Confetti covered the horrors.
And they celebrated from the stands.
WHERE ARE THEY?
MY SON MUST APPEAR
WE WANT TO KNOW
MISSING CHILDREN
Isabel, or Anna María, took a picture with the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo,
who had been protesting for years to get back their children,
"disappeared" by the dictatorship.
João wouldn't care, since the World Cup, miraculously for him, reached its end.
The winning of the World Cup by Argentina
prolonged the dictatorship in the bloodiest way possible
Havelange was reelected as the president of FIFA.
Do you know how all this leaves our narrator?
My God, what a woman!
I think I'm falling in love.