WORLD CUP 1970

The ninth World Cup was held in Mexico in 1970, the first time the tournament had been held outside Europe or South America. For the third tournament in a row the format was the same, sixteen teams once again playing in four group to decide the quarter-finalists. Hosts Mexico opened the tournament with a goalless draw against the Soviet Union in Group A, and it would be those two teams that would advance to the quarter-finals as they had little difficulty in seeing off Belgium and newcomers El Salvador. Because World Cup rules did not allow for goals scored to determine placings, Mexico won the group after the drawing of lots.

Group B was tense and tight with few goals. Italy only scored one goal in their three games, in a 1-0 win over Sweden, but with two 0-0 draws they amazingly still did enough to win the group. Uruguay were beaten 1-0 by Sweden in their final match but still accompanied Italy into the last eight on goal difference by virtue of their 2-0 win over debutants Israel.

Group C saw the most eagerly awaited clash of the first round as reigning champions England, thought by many to have a better team than in 1966, took on favourites Brazil. The match was billed as a possible preview of the final, and turned out to be a classic encounter despite featuring just one goal. Brazil scored that goal to win 1-0 and win the group as both sides won their other games against Romania and Czechoslovakia.

Group D featured 1966 finalists West Germany, and they were impressive in winning all three matches against Morocco, Bulgaria and Peru. By the team of their defeat by the Germans, Peru were already assured of their quarter-final place after two wins of their own, the first having been two goals down to Bulgaria before winning 3-2.

The quarter-finals saw a narrow win for Uruguay over the Soviet Union with a single goal three minutes from the end of extra-time, preventing the result having to be decided by lots. Hosts Mexico took the lead against Italy before losing 4-1, and Brazil saw off a stubborn Peruvian side by four goals to two. Champions England led West Germany 2-0 with just over twenty minutes to go, but threw away their advantage to lose their crown 3-2. Uruguay led the semi-final against Brazil close to half time, but an equaliser just before the interval and a strong second half gave the Brazilians a 3-1 victory. The other semi-final was an epic. Italy and West Germany were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and then scored five goals between them in extra-time, Italy coming out on top by four goals to three. West Germany went on the beat Uruguay 1-0 for third place.

The final between Brazil and Italy saw perhaps the finest performance from Brazil's great team, arguably the best of all time. Pelé headed his team into an early lead, and although Roberto Boninsegna equalised before half-time Brazil once again took command in the second half. Gérson restored the lead just after the hour, and Jairzinho sealed a great achievement of scoring in every match by making the score 3-1 just minutes later. With less than four minutes to go, a fantastic build-up led to captain Carlos Alberto scoring a wonderful fourth goal to seal the victory, and Brazil had a historic third title for which they were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy.