by James Oluoch

Created on: February 06, 2009   Last Updated: February 20, 2009

Remembering the 1970 World Cup

The 1970 world cup will forever be remembered for the exploits of one lad named Pele from the Brazilian team that many agree to be the best team ever assembled. Mexico was the venue and the high temperatures were the talk of town, as most European teams really suffered in the heat. Brazil, to their credit, mastered the conditions better than most and it's not a surprise they won in the end. Memories of a weeping Pele being carried shoulder high wearing a Mexican sombrero will endure in many fans heads long after.

Pele was the undoubted star of the 1970 world cup, but not many remember what a fantastic supporting cast he had. Carlos Alberto, the captain of the team, Piazza, Jairzinho, the irrepresible Tostao and the extravagantly talented Revelino. Felix was in goal and we shall never really know how good that defense was, as their forward line was so good, the defense rarely got tested thoroughly as most teams dropped one or two more forwards back when playing Brazil.

They beat a good Romania team 3-2, Czechoslovakia 4-1 and Peru by 3 goals; but one of the games that could qualify for a final before the final was the game against the defending champions England. Brazil ran away one-nil winners, but the game will always be remembered for the incredible save by Gordon Banks from a powerful Pele header. Jairzinho got the goal after some spirited English defending, but attack and flair won the day for Brazil.

It was not only Brazil, however, who gave many a lot to cheer about; one of the best games was a "rematch " of the 1966 final between West Germany and England. It was a thriller a minute with England going ahead, only to caught later by an incredible fightback from the never say die Germans. England were completely undone and dumped out of the tournament by a young lad called Franz Beckenbauer (sounds familiar?). West Germany came back from a goal down to beat England and qualify for the semis, where they lost to Italy their old enemy.

The best was saved for last, as the Samba boys met Italy to produce football of epic proportions in destroying Italy. Pele, Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto got the goals . Boninsegna pulled one back for Italy as Brazil ran away 4-1 winners. The forth goal especially was a beauty, Pele expertly controlled a neat pass from Jairzinho and held up the ball as Carlos Alberto came steaming full speed from the right. He laid off to him casually and he cracked in an unstoppable shot that proved to be a fitting finale to a graet game of football and the Jules Rimet trophy was Brazil's to keep.

One record that still stands was set in this world cup, a player scored in EVERY GAME and that player was Jairzinho of Brazil. To date, no one has ever equaled or surpassed that feat. That was the quality of the 1970 world cup. Players like Cubillas and Ramon from Peru, Fachetti and Mazzola from Italy, Gordon Banks from Engalnd and Franz Beckenbauer fro west Germany also impressed although the crowds at Azteca stadium and Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara where Brazil were based will always remember one team, BRAZIL.

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