Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)

Lore & Background

Brazil struck first, with Pelé heading in a cross by Rivellino at the 18th minute. Roberto Boninsegna equalized for Italy after a blunder in the Brazilian defence. In the second half, Gérson fired in a powerful shot for the second goal, and then helped provide the third, with a long free kick to Pelé who headed down into the path of the onrushing Jairzinho. Pelé capped his superb performance by drawing the Italian defence in the centre and feeding captain Carlos Alberto on the right flank for the final score. Carlos Alberto's goal, after a series of moves by the Brazilian team from the left to the centre, is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored in the history of the tournament. A total of 8 outfield players from Brazil passed the ball until Captain Carlos Alberto hammered the ball into the corner of the Italian goal following an inch perfect pass across the Italian 18 yard box from Pelé, prompted by the intelligent Tostão. The players involved in the passes in order were Tostão, Brito, Clodoaldo, Pelé, Gérson, defender Clodoaldo beat 4 Italian players in his own half before passing to Rivellino who hit a perfect pass down the wing to Jairzinho. Jairzinho crossed from the wing to the centre of the box to Pelé who held the ball up to play a pass for Alberto to smash it home. The only outfield players not involved in the move were Everaldo and Piazza. Brazil won the World Cup with 19 goals scored by 7 players, all of whom featured in the Carlos Alberto goal. Pelé was named player of the tournament. 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'.

In Their Own Story

The heat in Mexico City was oppressive, shimmering off the grass of the Azteca. Pelé wiped sweat from his brow, looking toward the goalmouth. The crowd roared, a deafening wall of yellow and green. He glanced at Jairzinho; they didn't need words. A single pass, a flick, a run. The ball danced across the turf like it had a mind of its own. In that moment, time seemed to suspend itself between the two halves of the world's most watched game.

Reader's Guide

Brazil competed in Group 3 of the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Guadalajara's Estadio Jalisco between 2 and 11 June 1970. Brazil won the group, and advanced to the quarter-finals, along with World Cup holders England. Romania and Czechoslovakia failed to advance. In the quarter-finals against Peru, Brazil won 4–2. In the semi-finals, Brazil faced Uruguay for the first time since the 1950 World Cup final round match, winning 3–1. Brazil then played Italy in the final, winning 4–1.

Did You Know?

• Pelé played a part in 14 of Brazil's 19 goals in the tournament.
• Pelé scored the opener in the final with a header over Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich.
• Brazil were given the Jules Rimet Trophy for keeps after winning in 1970. The cup was stolen in 1983 and is thought to have been melted down for its gold.
• In the semi-final against Uruguay, Pelé made one of his most famous plays by fooling the goalkeeper by not touching the ball.