This Day in History: 2023-02-02

Nr. 396

PELÉ’S 30 MINUTE MASTERCLASS (1964)

In his long build-up to the 1966 World Cup, England boss Alf Ramsey decided to use the Brazilian Football Association’s 50th anniversary Jubilee Tournament as a test of his side against South American opposition. During England’s 30 May match against Brazil in Rio’s giant Maracana Stadium he was shown the mountain his team had to climb. England played well enough to hold Brazil to one goal in the first half and equalized in the 48th minute, but ten minutes later Pelé stepped up a gear and conjured 30 minutes of football magic that saw the Brazilians put four goals into the England net and run out 5-1 winners.

Pelé’s performance was so complete that England were left in no doubt as to who would provide Brazil’s biggest threat at the World Cup.