FIFA World Cup 1970 History: The 1966 England World Cup had given birth to many stories. England became world champion for the first time. Geoff Hurst’s controversial goal has become an enduring debate in football history. Brazil was unexpectedly eliminated in the first round. And the world began to feel that perhaps Pele’s golden era was coming to an end.
But great players and great teams don’t disappear from the history books so easily.
Four years later, when the World Cup reached Mexico, no one expected that it would be more than just a tournament. Rather, football is going to become the greatest celebration of art. Even today, many historians, players and experts consider the 1970 World Cup to be the most beautiful, most exciting and most influential edition in World Cup history.
This was a new World Cup in many ways
For the first time the World Cup was being held in North America. For the first time, most matches were being broadcast on color television. For the first time, millions of spectators across the world were feeling the colors of the players’ jerseys, the greenery of the fields and the atmosphere of the stadiums in their homes. There was also a major technological change in the world of football to improve broadcasting. Adidas company specially created the first black and white designed ball named ‘Telstar’. The ball was clearly visible on both color and plain television sets.
Football had now become a truly global pastime. But there were also concerns about Mexico hosting. The altitude of the country was much higher than sea level. Many stadiums were located at an altitude of more than two thousand meters. Experts feared that European players would struggle in this environment. The hot weather and thin air were going to be a tough test of the players’ fitness. On the demand of European countries, the timing of the matches was kept in the afternoon so that the viewers in Europe could watch it live at the right time. The scorching sun and heat had made the test of the players more difficult.
Amidst these circumstances, the eyes of the world once again turned to Brazil.
Brazil had rebuilt itself after the disappointment of 1966. Pelé was no longer the teenager he once was. He had become an experienced, mature and complete player. He had amazing players like Jairzinho, Tostão,… Rivelino, Carlos Alberto and Gerson. This team was prepared by coach Mario Zagallo. Zagalo himself had won the World Cup as a player in 1958 and 1962. He was on his way to becoming the first person in the world to win the World Cup as both a player and coach.
Many experts would later say that it simply was not a great team.
This was probably the greatest national team in history
The Brazilian game had everything that makes football beautiful. Technique, imagination, speed, passing, coordination, confidence and fun. The players played as if music was playing on the field and they were moving in the same rhythm. Two major historic reforms were made in the rules of football in this tournament. For the first time, red and yellow cards were used by referees during matches. Apart from this, for the first time, teams were also allowed to replace two players during the match.
When the tournament started, Brazil defeated Czechoslovakia. Then England faced each other. This was not a match between just two teams. This was a clash between two world champions.
In this match, a moment came which is still counted among the greatest saves in football history. Pele made a brilliant header. The ball had almost gone into the goal. But England goalkeeper Gordon Banks showed incredible reaction and saved the ball.
Pelé himself stared at the goalpost in disbelief for a few moments. It was later called “the save of the century”. However, Brazil won the match 1–0. After the end of the match, Brazil captain Carlos Alberto and England captain Bobby Moore exchanged jerseys with each other. This picture of sportsmanship is still considered a great symbol of sportsmanship transcending racial and sporting boundaries.
Brazil continued to progress, defeated Peru in the quarter finals
It faced Uruguay in the semi-finals. Uruguay was the same country that broke Brazil’s heart in 1950. But this time the story was different. Brazil won a hard-fought match and reached the final.
On the other hand, Italy was progressing from Europe. The match that took place between Italy and West Germany in the semi-finals is still called the “Match of the Century”. The match was 1-1 in regular time. Then five goals were scored in extra time.
The score changed again and again. The players were exhausted. The spectators were sitting with bated breath. Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer dislocated his shoulder during the match. But due to all the options being exhausted, he remained on the field the whole time despite being in pain and wearing a bandage. His passion surprised the world.
Italy eventually won 4-3
This World Cup became one of the most exciting matches in history. There is still a special commemorative plaque outside Mexico’s Azteca Stadium commemorating this great match.
Now the final was decided.
Brazil vs Italy.
Two great football powers.
Two former world champions.
Two football traditions.
The final was played at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 21, 1970.
More than one lakh spectators were present. The whole world was watching this match on television. Brazil made their intentions clear from the very beginning. Pele scored the first goal with a brilliant header.
This became perhaps the most famous header of his career. Italian defender Tarcisio Burganich, who was marking Pele, said after the match – “Before the match, I told myself that Pele is made of flesh and blood like other humans. But I was wrong.”
Italy equalised. But after that the match went completely under the control of Brazil. Gerson scored the goal. Jairzinho scored the goal. With this goal, Jairzinho made a world record which has not been broken till date. He became the only player in the world to score a goal in every World Cup match (all 6 matches).
Then, in the final moments, what many consider to be the most beautiful goal in World Cup history unfolded. Brazil’s players patiently made a series of passes.
The ball kept passing from one player to another. The Italian players just kept chasing. Pelé eventually passed the ball to Carlos Alberto. Alberto came forward at full speed and sent the ball into the goal with a powerful shot. The goalkeeper had no chance. It was not just a goal. It was a masterpiece of collective football.
Even today it is counted among the greatest goals in World Cup history.
Brazil won 4–1.
World champion for the third time.
And with this he kept the ‘Jules Rime Trophy’ permanently, because the rule was that the team that wins the World Cup thrice will become the permanent owner of the trophy. Sadly, the original trophy, permanently won by Brazil, was stolen again from Rio de Janeiro in 1983. Thieves melted it and the original trophy was never recovered.
But the biggest meaning of this victory was not the trophy. It immortalized Pele.
He became the first player to win three World Cups. 1958, 1962 and 1970. This achievement is still unique. Pelé was not just a great player. He became the universal language of football. Africa, Asia, Europe, America — his name was respected everywhere. His smile, his play and his humility reached far beyond the boundaries of the game. The 1970 World Cup is important for another reason. It is considered the last great romantic World Cup of that era.
After this, football started becoming more organized, more strategic and more professional. Defensive systems became stronger. The pace of the game changed.
Technical analysis increased. But football in 1970 was still a celebration of art and joy. That’s why whenever the world’s greatest teams are discussed, Brazil 1970 comes to the fore. And whenever football’s greatest player is discussed, Pele’s name appears to be at the center of that debate. But history never stands still.
BRAZIL’s golden age had reached its peak. Pele was about to depart.
A new era was being born. A team was being formed in Europe that would change the strategy of football. A player was emerging who played like a general on the field. His name was Franz Beckenbauer.
And in 1974 the world would see how a historic clash between West Germany and the Netherlands changed the face of modern football.