Global InformationBrazil at the 1970 FIFA World Cup information
At the 1970 FIFA World Cup, Brazil participated for the 9th time in the event. The country remained as the only national team to have participated in every installment of the FIFA World Cup. The 1970 Brazil line-up is often considered to be the greatest football team in history.[1][2][3]
The Brazilian front five of Jairzinho, Pelé, Gérson, Tostão and Rivellino were all Number 10s in their own right and together they created an irresistible attacking momentum, with Pelé having central role in Brazil's way to the final, playing a part in 14 of Brazil's 19 goals in the tournament.[4] In the first match, against Czechoslovakia, Pelé gave Brazil a 2–1 lead, by controlling Gerson's long pass with his chest and then scoring. In this match Pelé audaciously attempted to lob goalkeeper Ivo Viktor from the half-way line, only narrowly missing the Czechoslovak goal.[5] Brazil went on to win the match, 4–1. In the first half of the match against England, Pelé nearly scored with a header that was spectacularly saved by Gordon Banks.[6][7] In the second half, he assisted Jairzinho for the only goal of the match. Against Romania, Pelé opened the score on a direct free kick goal, a strong strike with the outside of his right foot. Later on in the match he scored again to take the score to 3–1. Brazil won by a final score of 3–2. In the quarterfinals against Peru, Brazil won 4–2, with Pelé assisting Tostão for Brazil's third goal. In the semi-finals, Brazil faced Uruguay for the first time since the 1950 World Cup final round match. Jairzinho put Brazil ahead 2–1, and Pelé assisted Rivellino for the 3–1. During that match, Pelé made one of his most famous plays.[5] Tostão gave Pelé a through ball, and Uruguay's goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz took notice of it. The keeper ran off of his line to get the ball before Pelé, but Pelé got there first and fooled the keeper by not touching the ball, causing it to roll to the keeper's left, while Pelé went right. Pelé went around the goalkeeper and took a shot while turning towards the goal, but he turned in excess as he shot, and the ball drifted just wide of the far post.
Brazil played Italy in the final, with Pelé scoring the opener, with a header over Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich.[8] He then made assists on Jairzinho's and Carlos Alberto's goals, the latter one coming after an impressive collective play.[9][10] Brazil won the match 4–1, keeping the Jules Rimet Trophy indefinitely, and Pelé was named player of the tournament.[11] Burgnich, who marked Pelé during the final, was quoted saying "I told myself before the game, he's made of skin and bones just like everyone else — but I was wrong".[12]
Brazil were given the Jules Rimet Trophy for keeps after winning in 1970. Housed in the Brazilian Football Association's Rio de Janeiro headquarters, the cup was stolen in 1983. It is thought the thieves melted it down for its more-than 3 kg of solid gold.
- ^ Bell, Jack (11 July 2007). "1970 Brazilian Soccer Team Voted Best Ever". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ Joseph, Paul (9 April 2008). "The boys from Brazil: On the trail of football's dream team". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
- ^ Baxter, Kevin (10 May 2014). "World Cup: The 10 best teams of all time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
1. Brazil 1970: The 1970 team that won the third of Brazil's record five World Cups is widely considered the best.
- ^ "Mexico in thrall to Brazilians' beautiful game". Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- ^ a b The Greatest? For Century, Pele Eclipses Muhammad Ali The New York Times. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ Hattenstone, Simon (30 June 2003). "And God created Pelé". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ The 100 greatest World Cup moments: (No.18) The Independent Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ Memorable Celebrations 1: Pele's iconic leap of joy after scoring Brazil's century goal Goal Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (2 June 2006) The perfect goal BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ Football First XI: Best goals ever CNN. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ Brazil's heroes of 1970 relive their days of glory FIFA.com. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ Pelé, King of futbol, ESPN. Retrieved 6 May 2011.