Nr. 482

ALAN BALL WEARS WHITE BOOTS (1970)

The World Cup winner Alan Ball became the first footballer to wear white boots in England when he played for Everton against Chelsea in the 1970 Charity Shield at Wembley. He had been made aware that the boot supplier Hummel wanted a high profile player to wear their white boots for a fee of £2000. «To be honest they were crap, like cardboard,» said Ball, «so I got the young apprentices to paint my Adidas football boots white. It was great, until one day it rained and the black came through. A not too happy watching Hummel rep saw what I’d done so I said goodbye to the two grand.»

After taking the money, Ball realized that his white boots were no match for his regular pair and turned to painting his old ones instead.

Nr. 481

A LEGEND’S FIRST STEPS INTOTHE LIMELIGHT (1970)

A diminutive figure was dwarfed by the giant Argentinas Juniors Stadium in Buenos Aires as a boy who was to light up – and darken – football made his first public appearance. Diego Armando Maradona, a factory worker’s son, was just ten when he demonstrated his brilliant ball-juggling skills in front of thousands at half-time on a match day. Five years later Maradona’s precocious talents were recognized as he made his domestic debut for the famous Buenos Aires club ten days before his 16th birthday and went on to take the club to the league title in his first season.

Maradona’s superlative skills were honed from a young age. Those fortunate enough to witness this appearance knew he had great talent.

Nr. 480

RAZIL DELIVERS COUP DE GRACE (1970)

The bulging of the Italian net in the 86th minute of their 1970 World Cup final performance capped an imperious Brazilian victory. The Jules Rimet trophy – the World Cup itself – became a permanent possession of the Brazilian Football Federation the moment another Brazilian move of flair and skill was launched, appropriately enough, by captain Carlos Alberto.
His run towards the Italian penalty area from the right had alerted Pelé, who with consummate precision placed the ball in his path. All the Brazilian skipper had to do was shoot accurately and hard, and the ball flashed inside the far post past a beaten Italian goalkeeper.
In defeating Italy so impressively 4-1 in Mexico City, Brazil had won not only the World Cup, but possibly also one of the finest finals ever. What’s more, the Brazilian squad had endured, despite pre-tournament organisational difficulties, having new manager Maria Zagalo appointed at short notice, the high altitude conditions of Mexico and searing summer temperatures.

Fittingly, captain Carlos Alberto rounded off the emphatic win with a memorable finish.

Nr. 479

BRAZIL’S PLACE IN HISTORY IS ASSURED (1970)

The Brazilan contingent in the 100,000 crowd in Mexico City rose as one to acclaim Brazil as epoch-making World Champions – and the 1970 World Cup final was not even over. By scoring Brazil’s third goal against Italy, prolific striker Jairzinho claimed his own personal record by becoming the first player to score in every round of a World Cup tournament. A Gerson free-kick was headed by Pelé into Jairzinho’s path and he simply guided himself and the ball between the goalposts. It put Brazil 3-1 up – a deficit from which Italy would not recover as Brazil went on to win 4-1.

Jairzinho celebrates not only helping Brazil to a World Cup win, but cementing his own place in history by scoring in every round.

Nr. 478

ZAGALO’S INNER CIRCLE (1970)

The meetings of Maria Lobo Zagalo’s ‘Cobras’ were never quiet affairs, but they were always passionate and well informed. As the new manager of Brazil preparing for the 1970 World Cup, Zagalo, a 1958 and 1962 winner as a player, relied on his inner circle of Cobras. With captain Carlos Alberta and star players Pelé and Gerson, Zagalo plotted an historic third World Cup win. Gerson said, «We tried to help Zagalo to solve the problems he had selecting the best team or the one that could become the best one.» New roles the Cobras formulated for Tostao, Rivelino and Clodoaldo proved vital to their tournament success.

Mario Zagalo knew what it took to be a World Cup winner and he imparted that knowledge onto his hugely talented 1970 squad.

Nr. 477

PELÉ STARTS THE ROUT (1970)

A majestic leap by arguably the world’s most complete footballer put in place the first piece of a historic jigsaw when Brazil met Italy on 21 June in the 1970 World Cup final. The outcome of a titanic battle between two Latin sides – one from Europe, the other from the Americas – would be permanent possession of the Jules Rimet trophy. Italy and Brazil had each won it twice; victory in Mexico City entitled them to keep it. In the 18th minute Italy’s hopes nosedived when Rivelino crossed from the left. Pelé rose to head downwards and this time there was no Gordon Banks to make a near-impossible save.

There have been many great Brazil teams through the years. The group that travel led to Mexico in 1970 was one of the very best.

Nr. 476

BRAZIL WAIT TWO DECADES FOR REVENGE (1970)

The crowds waving their partisan national colours sensed that this Brazil v Uruguay match was much more than a semi-final tie in the 1970 World Cup. The pride of South America was at stake and for the Uruguayans it was their big chance to emulate their achievement when they won the inaugural World Cup back in 1930. For Brazil, winners in 1958 and 1962 and hot favourites at this stage of the 1970 tournarnent, it was the opportunity to rid their country of the humiliating 1966 stain of submission.
On a hot day in Guadalajara, Brazil also had the opportunity to erase all memories of the last time these two South American neighbours had met in a World Cup final match, almost 20 years to the day, back in 1950. Played then on a league system, the host country Brazil needed only a draw to become World Champions. A world record 200,000 spectators watched the game and they could not believe the outcome – Uruguay won 2-1 after coming from behind. With West Germany playing Italy in the other semi-final the 1970 final would be South America v Europe and both Uruguay and Brazil also wanted the honour of representing their region.
In Mexico two decades later Uruguay, who had not sparkled in their qualifying group, met an exciting and adventurous Brazil, which included Pelé and Jairzinho in scintillating form. This time it was Brazil who came from behind. Uruguays Luis Cubilla scored in the 19th minute before Clodoaldo, Jairzinho and Rivehno completed a 3-1 win and booked their place against Italy in the final.

Pelé could finally celebrate along with the rest of the Brazil side after finally laying the ghost of 1950 to rest once and for all.

Nr. 475

GAME OF THE CENTURY (1970)

The heat of battle matched the 100-degree conditions in the most absorbing dash of the 1970 World Cup. The semi-final would ensure a European finalist in Mexico City, and free-flowing West Germany met a resurgent Italy who had shown signs of an attacking renaissance.
Boninsegna cashed in on two fortunate rebounds to put Italy ahead on nine minutes, then misery piled up for the Germans when a tackle on Franz Beckenbauer left their talismanic captain with a dislocated shoulder, although he stayed on with his shoulder strapped to inspire an equaliser from Schnellinger.
In extra-time Muller put the Germans ahead, but Italy replied through Burgnich and Riva. In a pulsating finish Muller scored again, but at 3-3 West Germany learnt that a minute can be a long time in football, for that was all Rivera needed to finish it for Italy.

Ultimately the West German resistance – inspired by Beckenbauer – took it’s toll on ltaly who were through to face Brazil in the Final.

Nr. 474

MULLER’S KILLER GOAL (1970)

Countless heads sank into hands across England as milhons of armchair fans witnessed one of the great World Cup comebacks of all time. In this 1970 quarter­final West Germany came from 2-0 down to beat one of the tournament favourites, England. With just 12 minutes of extra-time left and at 2-2, German striker Gerd Muller destroyed the World Champions’ hopes with a volley past goalkeeper Peter Bonetti to make it 3-2. Muller, nicknamed ‘Der Bomber’, went on to be the 1970 tournament top scorer with ten goals, despite West Germany being beaten by Italy in the semi- final.

Showing a striker’s instinct for any opportunity West Germany’s Gerd Muller smashes the winner past Peter Bonetti from close range.

Nr. 473

ENGLAND’S HIGH HOPES (1970)

The end of the first half of England’s World Cup quarter-final against West Germany gave the world champions and their fans hope that they might retain their big-occasion power over the Germans. On the hot afternoon of 14 June in the Mexican city of Leon, the packed stadium was treated to a lively exchange, with the England team, much changed from the tournament-winning side of 1966, holding a slight advantage. It came in the 31st minute when midfielder Alan Mullery of Tottenham Hotspur scored. Four minutes after half-time Martin Peters made it 2-0 to send English hopes soaring skywards.

England’s Bobby Charlton launches an attack on West Germany’s goal as England take control early on in the quarter-final match.

Nr. 472

JAIRZINHO THE HEARTBREAKER (1970)

The 1970 World Cup heroics of Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks against Brazil were not enough to save England in the heat of the Guadalajara Stadium. It was fitting that the final blow of the winning goal should be struck by Brazil striker Jairzinho, a player who went on to score in every round of the finals in Mexico. Moore had earlier spectacularly robbed the Brazilian poacher when he looked odds-on to score, but in the 59th minute Jairzinho had the final word and
scored the only goal of the game between the World Champions of 1962 and 1966.

At every World Cup one Brazilian player seems to showcase their own individual brilliance. In 1970 in Mexico it was Jairzinho’s turn to shine.

Nr. 471

BANKS’ ‘SAVE OF THE CENTURY’ (1970)

This was the save that produced a gasp that reverberated around the planet. England goalkeeper Gordon Banks underlined his claim to the tag of ‘world’s best goalkeeper’ with what was hailed as the greatest save of all time – and has arguably remained so since. Brazil’s Pele was so convinced his tenth minute downward header in the 1970 World Cup group match was destined for the net that he shouted «Golo!» But he reckoned without the agility of Banks as he dived, and angled backwards and to his right, to scoop the ball one-handed over the bar.
Banks recalled, «Pelé met the ball with the meat of his head. Textbook stuff. I found myself at a 40-degree angle with my right hand stretching out towards the post. I knew if I made contact, I’d have to get it up in the air. I made contact with one finger and rolled my hand, using the third and fourth fingers as leverage.» Ironically, Banks’ heroics could not stop Brazil’s ultimate 1-0 win in Guadalajara.

Banks’ acrobatic save stunned Pele and is generally considered to be the finest save ever seen at the World Cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IXEc6BAHpY