1970 FIFA World Cup
Encyclopedia
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico
, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America
, and the first held outside South America
and Europe
. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final
was won by Brazil
, who beat Italy
4–1. With their third World Cup triumph, Brazil were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently.
The Brazilian team, featuring Pelé
(who was in his fourth and final World Cup), Carlos Alberto
, Clodoaldo
, Gérson
, Jairzinho
, Rivelino, and Tostão
, is often regarded as the greatest World Cup team ever. They won all of their 6 games on the way to the title, and had also won all of their 6 qualifying games on their way to Mexico. This tournament saw the return of free-flowing, attacking play after the physical battles of 1962
and 1966
, and is considered by many to be the finest World Cup in history.
in Tokyo, Japan on 8 October 1964, over opposition from Argentina.
: 16 teams qualified, divided into four groups of four playing each other once in a round-robin tournament
format. There were no seeds, instead the organizers formed geographical ‘sections’ from which the four groups were drawn in Mexico City
, on 10 January 1970. The top two teams in each group advanced to the quarter-finals. However, for the first time in the World Cup finals, teams level on points at the end of the group stage were separated by goal difference
rather than goal average (which had been used in 1962 and 1966). If points and goal difference were both equal, lots would have been drawn. If a quarter-final or semi-final match resulted in a draw after extra time the referee would have drawn the name of the team to progress to the next round out of a hat. The final would have been replayed if drawn after extra time.
Sweden became the first country to be eliminated from a World Cup on goal difference when Uruguay progressed from group 2 in second place.
Controversy surrounded the World Cup before a ball was even kicked. El Salvador
qualified for the finals after beating Honduras
in a play-off match, which led to the four-day Football War
of July 1969. For England, the build-up to the tournament took a bizarre turn when their captain was accused of theft, While the English team was in Colombia for a pre-tournament friendly game. Bobby Moore
was arrested for allegedly stealing a bracelet from a jeweller's shop in the Bogotá Bracelet
incident. He was released on bail to allow him to appear in the World Cup finals, and the charges were later quietly dropped.
In Group 1, hosts Mexico lived up to the expectations of an entire nation by advancing along with the Soviet Union. This was the first time in seven World Cup tournaments that Mexico had progressed from the initial stage.
Group 2 of the opening round produced just six goals in six games as Uruguay
, reigning South America champions, and the reigning European champions, Italy
, prevail over Sweden
and surprise qualifier Israel
after a series of dull, uninspired games. Italy
would, however, show the true measure of its talent in the knock-out phase.
Group 3 featured both two-time former World champion Brazil
, defending world champions England
and solid European sides Czechoslovakia
and Romania
. In the rematch of the 1962 World Cup final, Brazil fell behind early in their opening game against Czechoslovakia, but fought back strongly and eventually won 4–1. Pelé
scored one of their goals, but a goal attempt that in which Pelé audaciously attempted to lob a shot over Czechoslovak goalkeeper Ivo Viktor
from the halfway line, missed the goal by a whisker. The "Clash of the Champions" between Brazil and England lived up to all expectations. The match is best remembered for a Pelé near-miss. His powerful close-range downward header was kept out by an amazing save from Gordon Banks
, who somehow managed to get down to the ball and flick it upwards and over the bar. In the end, a single Jairzinho goal was enough to win the game for Brazil. Romania ran Brazil close in their third game, but were finally beaten 3–2. England joined Brazil with two 1–0 victories over Romania and Czechoslovakia.
In Group 4, Peru
and its attacking style created a sensation by beating established side Bulgaria
3–2 after trailing 0–2 at halftime. Morocco also got off to a bright start, taking the lead against West Germany in their first match, but the Germans came back to win 2–1. West Germany also went behind against Bulgaria in their second match, but a Gerd Muller hat-trick helped them fight back to win 5–2. Muller hit another hat-trick in the Germans' last group game, scoring all their goals in a 3–1 win over Peru. In the end, Peru eventually advanced along with West Germany after scoring three times in 11 second-half minutes to beat Morocco 3–0.
The game between Uruguay and the Soviet Union was goalless until five minutes from the end of extra time, when Victor Esparrago struck to send the South Americans through. The last quarter-final, a rematch of the 1966 World Cup final between England and West Germany, produced one of the great matches of World Cup history. England suffered a serious blow before the game, when their great goalkeeper Gordon Banks was taken ill with food poisoning. His deputy Peter Bonetti stepped into the breach, and early in the second half England had a 2–0 lead and seemed to have West Germany firmly in its grasp. However, West Germany pulled one back with a goal from Beckenbauer in the 68th minute. In a panic, England coach Alf Ramsey
decided then to substitute the tiring Bobby Charlton
. Without Charlton, England lost its ability to set its own pace on the game and could not contain the relentless German attacks which eventually resulted in West Germany equalizing eight minutes from time with an Uwe Seeler header. In extra-time, Geoff Hurst had a goal mysteriously ruled out before Gerd Müller
's winning goal in extra time after another Bonetti error, thus, ending England's reign as world champions.
. Brazil fell behind 20 minutes into the match. The game was evenly matched for 70 minutes but the Uruguayans found Brazil's attack too much to overcome. This match also featured another bright moment by Pelé: upon holding possession near the box, he managed to rush all alone up to Uruguayan goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz
and, tipping the ball through his left side, the Brazilian ran through the right side, catching the ball on the run and then taking a shot to the empty goal. However, Pelé missed by a sliver again. The other, all-European semi-final was regarded by many as the greatest World Cup game ever. Italy took a 1–0 lead through Roberto Boninsegna
on 8 minutes after an excellent "one-two" combination with Luigi Riva
. West Germany pressed to equalize for the rest of the game, until the very end when sweeper Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
, then with Italy's AC Milan, scored in injury time. In extra time, Gerd Müller brought Germany the lead on 94 minutes before Italy defender Tarcisio Burgnich
leveled the score with a rare international goal. On 103 minutes, Riva made it 3–2 past goalkeeper Sepp Maier, only for Müller to equalize six minutes later. As television cameras were still replaying Müller's goal, Italy midfielder Gianni Rivera
, left unmarked near the penalty spot, volleyed a fine Boninsegna cross past Maier for the winning goal in the 111th minute. Franz Beckenbauer sustained a broken clavicle during extra time. As Helmut Schön
, the West German manager, had already used the two permitted substitutes, Beckenbauer stayed on with his arm in a sling. This match is regarded as the "Game of the Century
", also known as the Partita del Secolo in Italy and Jahrhundertspiel in Germany. A monument at the Estadio Azteca
in Mexico City
commemorates it. West Germany went on to win the 3rd place match against Uruguay (1–0).
fired in a powerful shot for the second goal, leaving Enrico Albertosi
, the Italian keeper helpless, leaving and then helped provide the third, with a long free kick to Pelé
who headed down into the path of the onrushing Jairzinho
. Brazil's fourth goal, with five minutes to go, is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored in the history of the tournament. A total of 8 outfield players from Brazil were involved, encapsulating 'the beautiful game' in one glorious sweeping move. Tostão started the move just outside the Brazilian 18 yard box, then ran the length of the field to the Italian box without touching the ball again (although he signalled for Pelé to lay it off for Carlos Alberto). Clodoaldo beat 4 Italian players in his own half before passing to Rivelino, who hit a perfect pass down the left wing to Jairzinho. Jairzinho drove inside and passed to Pelé, who showed superb composure, in his last moments of World Cup play, to hold the ball up before rolling a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Carlos Alberto arriving from right back. Carlos Alberto's shot hammered into the bottom corner of the Italian goal, going too quick for Enrico Albertosi
to even touch it.
Brazil had won the World Cup for the third time after 1958
and 1962
, earning the right to retain the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. In Pelé, Brazil had a player who had won World Cups 12 years apart, yet still remained at the heart of everything Brazil did, providing the game's most sublime moments ranging from his hanging leap for Brazil's opener and his chess-player's pass for the final goal. Even Pelé's misses will go down in history: the 'own-half' attempt against Czechoslovakia, the 'unstoppable' header against England and most memorably of all the dummy against Uruguay in the semi-final. Seven players (all of whom featured in the Carlos Alberto goal) scored a total of 19 goals (more than any team since). Jairzinho scored in every match in the finals, an amazing feat. While Tostão proved a quick-witted and skilful strike partner. Clodoaldo and particularly Gerson provided superb passes to the front three, as well as goals at critical moments, and Rivelino's left-footed crosses and long-distance shooting were a constant danger. Coach Mário Zagallo
was the first footballer to become World Cup champion as a player (1958, 1962) and a coach - his other attempts (1974, 1998) would not be successful.
But it was the style of play that will be remembered. Italy's goal in the final involved four separate errors by the Brazilian defence, but it was of no matter; in 1970 defence was not Brazil's primary interest, with their 7 goals conceded being more than any other champion since. They gambled on outscoring the opposition, and won, every time. Since 1970 winning the World Cup has not been possible without a cast-iron defence, as evidenced by the failure of another great attacking side, Brazil's 1982 team. It would be 24 years before Brazil could put their hands on the new FIFA trophy, once again beating Italy in the final of the 1994 World Cup
, although only on penalties and needing a much more defensive style to that seen in 1970.
Before the finals in Mexico, Brazil had to play the qualifying rounds against Colombia, Venezuela and Paraguay. Brazil was far superior winning all 6 games, scoring 23 goals and conceding only 2. In the last match of the qualifying rounds Brazil beat Paraguay 1 – 0 and had the largest official audience ever recorded for a football match, with 183,341 spectators in Brazil's Maracanã Stadium. In total the Brazilian team won all 12 games , scoring 42 goals and conceding only 8. At the Finals Brazil defeated three former World Cup winners: England, Uruguay and Italy. Brazil was the first team to achieve this feat, subsequently matched only by Italy in 1982
and Argentina in 1986.
The top scorer of the tournament was West Germany's Gerd Müller, with an impressive 10 goals in the competition. Müller incredibly scored hat-trick
s in two consecutive games, against Bulgaria and Peru in the group stage.
.
CAF Seyoum Tarekegn Ali Kandil
CONCACAF Abel Aguilar Elizalde Diego De Leo Henry Landauer
CONMEBOL Ángel Norberto Coerezza Antônio de Moraês Rafael Hormázabal Arturo Yamasaki Ramón Barreto
UEFA Ferdinand Marschall Vital Loraux Rudi Glöckner
Jack Taylor
Roger Machin Antonio Sbardella
Laurens van Ravens Antonio Ribeiro Saldanha Andrei Rǎdulescu Bob Davidson
Ortíz de Mendibil Tofik Bakhramov
Rudolf Scheurer
Kurt Tschenscher
.
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
----
7 goals Jairzinho
5 goals Teófilo Cubillas
4 goals Pelé
Anatoliy Byshovets
3 goals Rivelino Uwe Seeler Luigi Riva
2 goals Raoul Lambert
Wilfried Van Moer
Tostão
Ladislav Petráš
Roberto Boninsegna
Gianni Rivera
Javier Valdivia
Alberto Gallardo
Florea Dumitrache
1 goal Carlos Alberto
Clodoaldo
Gérson
Hristo Bonev
Dinko Dermendzhiev
Todor Kolev
Asparuh Nikodimov
Dobromir Zhechev
Allan Clarke
Geoff Hurst
Alan Mullery
Martin Peters
Franz Beckenbauer
Reinhard Libuda
Wolfgang Overath
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Mordechai Spiegler
Tarcisio Burgnich
Angelo Domenghini
Maouhoub Ghazouani
Mohammed Houmane
Juan Ignacio Basaguren
Javier Fragoso
José Luis González Gustavo Peña
Roberto Challe
Héctor Chumpitaz
Emerich Dembrovschi
Alexandru Neagu
Kakhi Asatiani
Vitaly Khmelnitsky
Ove Grahn
Tom Turesson
Luis Cubilla
Víctor Espárrago Ildo Maneiro
Juan Mujica
Own goals Gustavo Peña
(for Italy)
Final
3rd and 4th place
Eliminated in the quarter-finals
Eliminated at the group stage
were the first team to make a substitution in World Cup history against Mexico
in the opening match. Viktor Serebryanikov
was the first player to be replaced, by Anatoliy Puzach
after 45 minutes.
This World Cup also featured the first ever use of yellow and red cards
for cautions and expulsions respectively. (Note that cautions and expulsions already existed prior to 1970.) Five yellow cards were shown in the opening Mexico vs USSR match, while no red cards were given in the tournament. These were thought of when the coach attempted to warn off an offending player in the previous World Cup.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and the first held outside South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final
1970 FIFA World Cup Final
The 1970 FIFA World Cup Final was contested by Brazil and Italy on 21 June 1970 in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, to determine the winner of the 1970 FIFA World Cup....
was won by Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, who beat Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
4–1. With their third World Cup triumph, Brazil were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently.
The Brazilian team, featuring Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
(who was in his fourth and final World Cup), Carlos Alberto
Carlos Alberto Torres
Carlos Alberto Torres is a former Brazilian footballer, one of the most highly regarded defenders of all time. He captained Brazil to victory in the 1970 World Cup and is a member of the World Team of the 20th Century, as well as the U.S...
, Clodoaldo
Clodoaldo
Clodoaldo Tavares de Santana, better known as Clodoaldo is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
, Gérson
Gérson
Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, generally known as Gérson [], , nickname Canhotinha de ouro is an association footballer. He won numerous national trophies with the club sides of Flamego, Botafogo, São Paulo and Fluminense...
, Jairzinho
Jairzinho
Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho , is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful forward or winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup, during which he scored in every game Brazil played...
, Rivelino, and Tostão
Tostão
Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade , better known as Tostão, is a former Brazilian footballer, who played as a forward. In his prime, he was considered one of the best offensive players in the world, while also contributing with many assists thanks to his passing abilities.-Football career:Born in Belo...
, is often regarded as the greatest World Cup team ever. They won all of their 6 games on the way to the title, and had also won all of their 6 qualifying games on their way to Mexico. This tournament saw the return of free-flowing, attacking play after the physical battles of 1962
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
and 1966
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
, and is considered by many to be the finest World Cup in history.
Host selection
Mexico was chosen as the host nation by FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
in Tokyo, Japan on 8 October 1964, over opposition from Argentina.
Qualification
A total of 75 teams entered the qualifying tournament. Those who failed to qualify included France, Portugal, Hungary, Argentina and Spain. Meanwhile, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup finals since Egypt in 1934. In addition to Morocco, Israel and El Salvador made their World Cup debuts. As of 2010, this is Israel's only World Cup finals appearance. Peru qualified for the first time, having made one previous appearance in the 1930 tournament (which did not require qualification). Romania qualified for the first time since 1938, and would not qualify again until 1990.Format
The format of the competition was similar to that of 19661966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
: 16 teams qualified, divided into four groups of four playing each other once in a round-robin tournament
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
format. There were no seeds, instead the organizers formed geographical ‘sections’ from which the four groups were drawn in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, on 10 January 1970. The top two teams in each group advanced to the quarter-finals. However, for the first time in the World Cup finals, teams level on points at the end of the group stage were separated by goal difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
rather than goal average (which had been used in 1962 and 1966). If points and goal difference were both equal, lots would have been drawn. If a quarter-final or semi-final match resulted in a draw after extra time the referee would have drawn the name of the team to progress to the next round out of a hat. The final would have been replayed if drawn after extra time.
Sweden became the first country to be eliminated from a World Cup on goal difference when Uruguay progressed from group 2 in second place.
First round
The 1970 World Cup is now remembered as a classic – but, as usual, the tournament was preceded by disputes over the organisation of the event. This World Cup was the first one to be televised in colour. However, to fit into the European viewing schedules, some matches kicked off at noon. This was an unpopular decision with many players and managers because of the intense heat in Mexico at that time of day.El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
qualified for the finals after beating Honduras
Honduras national football team
The Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
in a play-off match, which led to the four-day Football War
Football War
The Football War , also known as the Soccer War or 100 hour War, was a four-day war fought by El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. It was caused by political conflicts between Hondurans and Salvadorans, namely issues concerning immigration from El Salvador to Honduras...
of July 1969. For England, the build-up to the tournament took a bizarre turn when their captain was accused of theft, While the English team was in Colombia for a pre-tournament friendly game. Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore
Robert Frederick Chelsea "Bobby" Moore, OBE was an English footballer. He captained West Ham United for more than ten years and was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup...
was arrested for allegedly stealing a bracelet from a jeweller's shop in the Bogotá Bracelet
Bogotá Bracelet
The Bogotá Bracelet incident took place in May 1970 when Bobby Moore, the captain of the England national football team, was detained in Colombia for four days after being accused of stealing a bracelet from a jewellery shop located in the Bogotá hotel in which the team were staying.The arrest took...
incident. He was released on bail to allow him to appear in the World Cup finals, and the charges were later quietly dropped.
In Group 1, hosts Mexico lived up to the expectations of an entire nation by advancing along with the Soviet Union. This was the first time in seven World Cup tournaments that Mexico had progressed from the initial stage.
Group 2 of the opening round produced just six goals in six games as Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
, reigning South America champions, and the reigning European champions, Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, prevail over Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and surprise qualifier Israel
Israel national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
after a series of dull, uninspired games. Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
would, however, show the true measure of its talent in the knock-out phase.
Group 3 featured both two-time former World champion Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, defending world champions England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and solid European sides Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
and Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
. In the rematch of the 1962 World Cup final, Brazil fell behind early in their opening game against Czechoslovakia, but fought back strongly and eventually won 4–1. Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
scored one of their goals, but a goal attempt that in which Pelé audaciously attempted to lob a shot over Czechoslovak goalkeeper Ivo Viktor
Ivo Viktor
Ivo Viktor is a former Czech football goalkeeper. He played for Czechoslovakia, 63 matches, from 1966 to 1977.His national team debut was in 1966 against Brazil at Maracanã.He was a participant in the 1970 FIFA World Cup....
from the halfway line, missed the goal by a whisker. The "Clash of the Champions" between Brazil and England lived up to all expectations. The match is best remembered for a Pelé near-miss. His powerful close-range downward header was kept out by an amazing save from Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
, who somehow managed to get down to the ball and flick it upwards and over the bar. In the end, a single Jairzinho goal was enough to win the game for Brazil. Romania ran Brazil close in their third game, but were finally beaten 3–2. England joined Brazil with two 1–0 victories over Romania and Czechoslovakia.
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
and its attacking style created a sensation by beating established side Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
3–2 after trailing 0–2 at halftime. Morocco also got off to a bright start, taking the lead against West Germany in their first match, but the Germans came back to win 2–1. West Germany also went behind against Bulgaria in their second match, but a Gerd Muller hat-trick helped them fight back to win 5–2. Muller hit another hat-trick in the Germans' last group game, scoring all their goals in a 3–1 win over Peru. In the end, Peru eventually advanced along with West Germany after scoring three times in 11 second-half minutes to beat Morocco 3–0.
Quarter-finals
The quarter-finals saw a transformed Italy prevail 4–1 over Mexico after trailing 0–1. The host took the lead against Italy with a Jose Gonzales goal, but his team-mate Gustavo Pena equalised with an own goal before half-time. Italy then took over, and dominated the second half. Two goals from Luigi Riva and one from Gianni Rivera saw them go through 4–1. In Guadalajara, Peru's World Cup adventure ended in the quarter-finals, where they lost 4–2 to Brazil after an entertaining and dramatic match between two equally attacking teams.The game between Uruguay and the Soviet Union was goalless until five minutes from the end of extra time, when Victor Esparrago struck to send the South Americans through. The last quarter-final, a rematch of the 1966 World Cup final between England and West Germany, produced one of the great matches of World Cup history. England suffered a serious blow before the game, when their great goalkeeper Gordon Banks was taken ill with food poisoning. His deputy Peter Bonetti stepped into the breach, and early in the second half England had a 2–0 lead and seemed to have West Germany firmly in its grasp. However, West Germany pulled one back with a goal from Beckenbauer in the 68th minute. In a panic, England coach Alf Ramsey
Alf Ramsey
Sir Alfred Ernest "Alf" Ramsey was an English footballer and manager of the English national football team from 1963 to 1974. His greatest achievement was winning the 1966 World Cup with England on 30 July 1966...
decided then to substitute the tiring Bobby Charlton
Bobby Charlton
Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton CBE is an English former professional football player, a member of the England team who won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or for European Footballer of the Year in 1966...
. Without Charlton, England lost its ability to set its own pace on the game and could not contain the relentless German attacks which eventually resulted in West Germany equalizing eight minutes from time with an Uwe Seeler header. In extra-time, Geoff Hurst had a goal mysteriously ruled out before Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the...
's winning goal in extra time after another Bonetti error, thus, ending England's reign as world champions.
Semifinals, third place
The semi-finals featured an exciting final four, all four having won the World Cup in the past: Brazil vs Uruguay, and Italy vs West Germany. In the all-South American match, Brazil managed to defeat Uruguay 3–1, finally gaining revenge for their defeat in the deciding match of the 1950 World Cup1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
. Brazil fell behind 20 minutes into the match. The game was evenly matched for 70 minutes but the Uruguayans found Brazil's attack too much to overcome. This match also featured another bright moment by Pelé: upon holding possession near the box, he managed to rush all alone up to Uruguayan goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz
Ladislao Mazurkiewicz
Ladislao Mazurkiewicz Iglesias is an Uruguayan former football goalkeeper of the 1960s and 1970s. He helped the Uruguay national team to qualify to the semifinals of the 1970 World Cup, where the charrúas were stopped by the eventual champions, Brazil. He was elected the best goalkeeper of that...
and, tipping the ball through his left side, the Brazilian ran through the right side, catching the ball on the run and then taking a shot to the empty goal. However, Pelé missed by a sliver again. The other, all-European semi-final was regarded by many as the greatest World Cup game ever. Italy took a 1–0 lead through Roberto Boninsegna
Roberto Boninsegna
Roberto Boninsegna is an Italian former football player.He started his career in Serie B with Prato in 1963-64 season. He transferred to FC Potenza, who was Serie B team in 1964-65 season. He also played for Varese in 1965-66 and Cagliari between 1966-1969...
on 8 minutes after an excellent "one-two" combination with Luigi Riva
Luigi Riva
Luigi Riva , best known as Gigi Riva or by his nickname Rombo di Tuono , is a former Italian footballer, the all-time leading scorer for the Italian national team...
. West Germany pressed to equalize for the rest of the game, until the very end when sweeper Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger is a former German footballer. He was one of the world's best defenders for a decade in the 1960s. He was nicknamed the "Volkswagen" for his continuity of performance, both in quantity and in quality...
, then with Italy's AC Milan, scored in injury time. In extra time, Gerd Müller brought Germany the lead on 94 minutes before Italy defender Tarcisio Burgnich
Tarcisio Burgnich
Tarcisio Burgnich is a former Italian football defender.After short spells at Udinese, Juventus and Palermo, it was with Internazionale that he found his spiritual home in the 1960s...
leveled the score with a rare international goal. On 103 minutes, Riva made it 3–2 past goalkeeper Sepp Maier, only for Müller to equalize six minutes later. As television cameras were still replaying Müller's goal, Italy midfielder Gianni Rivera
Gianni Rivera
Giovanni Rivera is an Italian former football midfielder, mostly as an offensive playmaker, who was awarded the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, in 1969. He played the majority of his career with Serie A side A.C. Milan...
, left unmarked near the penalty spot, volleyed a fine Boninsegna cross past Maier for the winning goal in the 111th minute. Franz Beckenbauer sustained a broken clavicle during extra time. As Helmut Schön
Helmut Schön
Helmut Schön was a German football player and manager. He is best remembered for his exceptional career as manager of West Germany....
, the West German manager, had already used the two permitted substitutes, Beckenbauer stayed on with his arm in a sling. This match is regarded as the "Game of the Century
Game of the Century (football)
The semi-final of the 1970 FIFA World Cup between Italy and West Germany is known as the "Game of the Century" . It was played on 17 June 1970 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City...
", also known as the Partita del Secolo in Italy and Jahrhundertspiel in Germany. A monument at the Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca is a stadium in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team and the Mexican team Club América.The stadium was the venue for football soccer in the 1968 Summer Olympics....
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
commemorates it. West Germany went on to win the 3rd place match against Uruguay (1–0).
Final
In the final, Brazil struck first, with Pelé heading in a cross by Rivelino after a throw-in at the 18th minute. Roberto Boninsegna equalized for Italy after a series of blunders in the Brazilian defence. In the second half, Brazil's firepower and creativity was too much for a tired Italian side. GérsonGérson
Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, generally known as Gérson [], , nickname Canhotinha de ouro is an association footballer. He won numerous national trophies with the club sides of Flamego, Botafogo, São Paulo and Fluminense...
fired in a powerful shot for the second goal, leaving Enrico Albertosi
Enrico Albertosi
Enrico "Ricky" Albertosi is an Italian former footballer who played goalkeeper for the Italian national team in the 1966 World Cup and the 1970 World Cup....
, the Italian keeper helpless, leaving and then helped provide the third, with a long free kick to Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
who headed down into the path of the onrushing Jairzinho
Jairzinho
Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho , is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful forward or winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup, during which he scored in every game Brazil played...
. Brazil's fourth goal, with five minutes to go, is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored in the history of the tournament. A total of 8 outfield players from Brazil were involved, encapsulating 'the beautiful game' in one glorious sweeping move. Tostão started the move just outside the Brazilian 18 yard box, then ran the length of the field to the Italian box without touching the ball again (although he signalled for Pelé to lay it off for Carlos Alberto). Clodoaldo beat 4 Italian players in his own half before passing to Rivelino, who hit a perfect pass down the left wing to Jairzinho. Jairzinho drove inside and passed to Pelé, who showed superb composure, in his last moments of World Cup play, to hold the ball up before rolling a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Carlos Alberto arriving from right back. Carlos Alberto's shot hammered into the bottom corner of the Italian goal, going too quick for Enrico Albertosi
Enrico Albertosi
Enrico "Ricky" Albertosi is an Italian former footballer who played goalkeeper for the Italian national team in the 1966 World Cup and the 1970 World Cup....
to even touch it.
Brazil had won the World Cup for the third time after 1958
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
and 1962
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
, earning the right to retain the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. In Pelé, Brazil had a player who had won World Cups 12 years apart, yet still remained at the heart of everything Brazil did, providing the game's most sublime moments ranging from his hanging leap for Brazil's opener and his chess-player's pass for the final goal. Even Pelé's misses will go down in history: the 'own-half' attempt against Czechoslovakia, the 'unstoppable' header against England and most memorably of all the dummy against Uruguay in the semi-final. Seven players (all of whom featured in the Carlos Alberto goal) scored a total of 19 goals (more than any team since). Jairzinho scored in every match in the finals, an amazing feat. While Tostão proved a quick-witted and skilful strike partner. Clodoaldo and particularly Gerson provided superb passes to the front three, as well as goals at critical moments, and Rivelino's left-footed crosses and long-distance shooting were a constant danger. Coach Mário Zagallo
Mário Zagallo
Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo is a Brazilian former football player and manager.-Biography:Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo was born in Maceió, Alagoas, to a family of Lebanese and Italian heritage....
was the first footballer to become World Cup champion as a player (1958, 1962) and a coach - his other attempts (1974, 1998) would not be successful.
But it was the style of play that will be remembered. Italy's goal in the final involved four separate errors by the Brazilian defence, but it was of no matter; in 1970 defence was not Brazil's primary interest, with their 7 goals conceded being more than any other champion since. They gambled on outscoring the opposition, and won, every time. Since 1970 winning the World Cup has not been possible without a cast-iron defence, as evidenced by the failure of another great attacking side, Brazil's 1982 team. It would be 24 years before Brazil could put their hands on the new FIFA trophy, once again beating Italy in the final of the 1994 World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, although only on penalties and needing a much more defensive style to that seen in 1970.
Before the finals in Mexico, Brazil had to play the qualifying rounds against Colombia, Venezuela and Paraguay. Brazil was far superior winning all 6 games, scoring 23 goals and conceding only 2. In the last match of the qualifying rounds Brazil beat Paraguay 1 – 0 and had the largest official audience ever recorded for a football match, with 183,341 spectators in Brazil's Maracanã Stadium. In total the Brazilian team won all 12 games , scoring 42 goals and conceding only 8. At the Finals Brazil defeated three former World Cup winners: England, Uruguay and Italy. Brazil was the first team to achieve this feat, subsequently matched only by Italy in 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
and Argentina in 1986.
The top scorer of the tournament was West Germany's Gerd Müller, with an impressive 10 goals in the competition. Müller incredibly scored hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
s in two consecutive games, against Bulgaria and Peru in the group stage.
Mascot
The official mascot of this World Cup was Juanito, a boy wearing Mexico's uniform and a sombreroSombrero
Sombrero in English refers to a type of wide-brimmed hat originating in Mexico. In Spanish, however, it is the generic word for "hat", which originates from "sombra", meaning "shade"....
.
Venues
Five cities hosted the tournament:| Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality... |
León León, Guanajuato The city of León, formally León de los Aldama is the sixth most populous city in Mexico and the first in the state of Guanajuato. It is also the seat of the municipality of León... |
Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |
Puebla Puebla, Puebla The city and municipality of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. Being a planned city, it is located to the east of Mexico City and west of Mexico's main port, Veracruz, on the main route between the two.The city was founded... |
Toluca Toluca Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estadio Jalisco Estadio Jalisco The Estadio Jalisco is a football stadium located in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is the third largest Mexican football stadium behind Estadio Azteca and Estadio Olimpico Universitario... |
Estadio Nou Camp Estadio Nou Camp The Estadio León, unofficially known as Nou Camp, is a mid-sized football stadium with a seating capacity of 33,943 built in 1967, and located in the city of León, Guanajuato, in the Bajío region of central Mexico. This sport facility is used mostly for football matches and is the home of the Club... |
Estadio Azteca Estadio Azteca Estadio Azteca is a stadium in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home stadium of the Mexico national football team and the Mexican team Club América.The stadium was the venue for football soccer in the 1968 Summer Olympics.... |
Estadio Cuauhtémoc Estadio Cuauhtémoc Estadio Cuauhtémoc is a football stadium in Puebla, Puebla .The stadium, which has a capacity of 42,648 seats, is the home of Puebla F.C., it's one of the best and very historical football stadium in Mexico, being currently the fifth biggest stadium in Mexico in term of its capacity. It belongs to... |
Estadio Luis Dosal Estadio Nemesio Díez The Estadio Nemesio Díez, nicknamed La Bombonera, is one of the oldest football stadiums in Mexico. Opened on August 18, 1954, with a capacity of 27,000 seats, it is located in the city of Toluca, Mexico, near Mexico City. It is the home of Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club. Because of its location this... |
 |
 |
 |
Match officials
AFC Abraham KleinAbraham Klein (referee)
Abraham Klein , was an Israeli international football referee.-1970 World Cup:Klein refereed some of the most important FIFA World Cup matches between 1970 and 1982...
CAF Seyoum Tarekegn Ali Kandil
Ali Kandil
Ali Hussein Kandil is an Egyptian football referee. He directed the match between Korea DPR and Chile in the 1966 FIFA World Cup which ended in a 1-all draw.-References:...
CONCACAF Abel Aguilar Elizalde Diego De Leo Henry Landauer
CONMEBOL Ángel Norberto Coerezza Antônio de Moraês Rafael Hormázabal Arturo Yamasaki Ramón Barreto
Ramón Barreto
Ramón Ivanoes Barreto Ruiz is a Uruguayan professional association football referee. He is the only referee in the history of the FIFA World Cup to have been appointed to two consecutive Final matches: in 1974 in Munich, and in 1978 in Buenos Aires.Barreto was first selected as a World Cup Finals...
UEFA Ferdinand Marschall Vital Loraux Rudi Glöckner
Rudi Glöckner
Rudolf "Rudi" Glöckner was the first German to referee a football World Cup final when he took charge of the 1970 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Italy in Mexico City....
Jack Taylor
Jack Taylor (referee)
John Keith "Jack" Taylor is an English former football referee, famous for officiating in the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final where he awarded two penalties during the first 30 minutes.-Refereeing career:...
Roger Machin Antonio Sbardella
Antonio Sbardella
Antonio Sbardella was an Italian football player, referee and sports official. He is best known for refereeing at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.-Career:...
Laurens van Ravens Antonio Ribeiro Saldanha Andrei Rǎdulescu Bob Davidson
Bob Davidson (referee)
Robert Holley "Bobby" Davidson was a Scottish football referee who also operated for FIFA.-Career:He was Scotland's representative at the 1962, 1970 and 1974 World Cups...
Ortíz de Mendibil Tofik Bakhramov
Tofik Bakhramov
Tofik Bahram oglu Bahramov , commonly known as the Russian linesman in England, was an Azerbaijani football referee notable for being the linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final against West Germany...
Rudolf Scheurer
Rudolf Scheurer
Rudolf Scheurer was a football referee from Bettlach, most remembered for supervising four matches at the FIFA World Cup: two in 1970 and 1974. During his peak times, Scheurer was a high-profile refereee: In 1970 he was nominated as linesman in the final between Brazil and Italy. In 1974 he was...
Kurt Tschenscher
Kurt Tschenscher
Kurt Waldemar Tschenscher is a German former football referee. Born in Mannheim, he took up refereeing in 1948 and by 1953 he was part of the German Football Association's group of top referees. Within another five years, he was promoted to the FIFA list of international referees...
Squads
For a list of all squads that appeared in the final tournament, see 1970 FIFA World Cup squads1970 FIFA World Cup squads
-Mexico:Head coach: Raúl Cárdenas-USSR:Head coach: Gavril Kachalin-Belgium:Head coach: Raymond Goethals-El Salvador:Head coach: Hernán Carrasco Vivanco-Italy:...
.
Results
Group 1
| Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 |
----
----
----
----
----
Group 2
| Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 2 |
----
----
----
----
----
Group 3
| Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0 |
----
----
----
----
----
Group 4
| Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 1 | |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
----
----
----
----
----
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals
--------
----
Semi-finals
----Match for third place
Final
Awards
| FIFA Fair Play Trophy |
|---|
Scorers
10 goals Gerd MüllerGerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the...
7 goals Jairzinho
Jairzinho
Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho , is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful forward or winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup, during which he scored in every game Brazil played...
5 goals Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50...
4 goals Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
Anatoliy Byshovets
3 goals Rivelino Uwe Seeler Luigi Riva
Luigi Riva
Luigi Riva , best known as Gigi Riva or by his nickname Rombo di Tuono , is a former Italian footballer, the all-time leading scorer for the Italian national team...
2 goals Raoul Lambert
Raoul Lambert
Raoul Lambert was a Belgian footballer. He finished top scorer of the Belgian First Division with 17 goals in 1972 while playing for Club Brugge. He also scored 18 goals in 33 matches with the Belgian national team between 1966 and 1977. Lambert made his international debut on 20 April 1966 in a...
Wilfried Van Moer
Wilfried Van Moer
Wilfried van Moer is a former Belgian football player who won the Belgian Golden Shoe three times, first in 1966 while at Antwerp then in 1969 and in 1970 while at Standard Liège....
Tostão
Tostão
Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade , better known as Tostão, is a former Brazilian footballer, who played as a forward. In his prime, he was considered one of the best offensive players in the world, while also contributing with many assists thanks to his passing abilities.-Football career:Born in Belo...
Ladislav Petráš
Ladislav Petráš
Ladislav Petráš is a former Slovak football player. Born in Necpaly, he played for Czechoslovakia national team in 19 matches and scored 6 goals....
Roberto Boninsegna
Roberto Boninsegna
Roberto Boninsegna is an Italian former football player.He started his career in Serie B with Prato in 1963-64 season. He transferred to FC Potenza, who was Serie B team in 1964-65 season. He also played for Varese in 1965-66 and Cagliari between 1966-1969...
Gianni Rivera
Gianni Rivera
Giovanni Rivera is an Italian former football midfielder, mostly as an offensive playmaker, who was awarded the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, in 1969. He played the majority of his career with Serie A side A.C. Milan...
Javier Valdivia
Javier Valdivia
Javier Valdivia Huerta is a former Mexican football player. He scored 2 goals in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He played for Chivas de Guadalajara.-References:...
Alberto Gallardo
Alberto Gallardo
Alberto Gallardo was a Peruvian football player and manager.-Career:During his club career, Gallardo played for Sporting Cristal, A.C. Milan, Cagliari Calcio and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras...
Florea Dumitrache
Florea Dumitrache
Florea Dumitrache was a Romanian football striker. He was considered one of the best Romanian strikers of all time.-Career:...
1 goal Carlos Alberto
Carlos Alberto Torres
Carlos Alberto Torres is a former Brazilian footballer, one of the most highly regarded defenders of all time. He captained Brazil to victory in the 1970 World Cup and is a member of the World Team of the 20th Century, as well as the U.S...
Clodoaldo
Clodoaldo
Clodoaldo Tavares de Santana, better known as Clodoaldo is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
Gérson
Gérson
Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, generally known as Gérson [], , nickname Canhotinha de ouro is an association footballer. He won numerous national trophies with the club sides of Flamego, Botafogo, São Paulo and Fluminense...
Hristo Bonev
Hristo Bonev
Hristo Atanasov Bonev-Zuma is a retired Bulgarian footballer, the second all-time leading scorer for the Bulgarian national team behind Dimitar Berbatov, who surpassed his record on November 18, 2009. Currently he manages PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian A PFG.Between 1967 and 1979, Bonev...
Dinko Dermendzhiev
Dinko Dermendzhiev
Dinko Tsvetkov Dermendzhiev is a former Bulgarian football player in a midfielder role, and later manager....
Todor Kolev
Todor Kolev (footballer born 1942)
Todor Kolev is a Bulgarian football defender who played for Bulgaria in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He also played for PFC Slavia Sofia.-External links:*...
Asparuh Nikodimov
Asparuh Nikodimov
Asparuh "Paro" Donev Nikodimov is a former Bulgarian football player and later coach.He represented Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cups in 1970 and 1974.-References:...
Dobromir Zhechev
Dobromir Zhechev
Dobromir Georgiev Zhechev is a Bulgarian former football player and later manager.Zhechev was born in Sofia.At club level he played Spartak and Levski in his home town. He was also capped 93 times for the Bulgaria national team and was part of the squad at four World Cups.-External links:*...
Allan Clarke
Allan Clarke (footballer)
Allan John Clarke , nicknamed "Sniffer", is a former footballer who played in the Football League for Walsall, Fulham, Leicester City, Leeds United and Barnsley, and won 19 international caps for England.-Early career:Clarke started his career at Walsall and made his debut aged 17, in 1963...
Geoff Hurst
Geoff Hurst
Sir Geoffrey Charles Hurst MBE is a retired England footballer best remembered for his years with West Ham. He made his mark in World Cup history as the only player to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final. His three goals came in the 1966 final for England in their 4–2 win over West...
Alan Mullery
Alan Mullery
Alan Patrick Mullery MBE is a former English football player and manager. After enjoying a successful career with Fulham and in the 1960s and 1970s, he became a manager working with several different clubs. He is now employed as a television pundit...
Martin Peters
Martin Peters
Martin Stanford Peters, MBE is a former football player and member of the victorious England team which won the 1966 World Cup as well as playing in the 1970 FIFA World Cup....
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed Der Kaiser because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name "Franz" , and his dominance on the football pitch...
Reinhard Libuda
Reinhard Libuda
Reinhard "Stan" Libuda was a German footballer playing on the right wing....
Wolfgang Overath
Wolfgang Overath
Wolfgang Overath is a former West German football player. He represented his country three times in World Cup finals, culminating in 1974 with victory on home soil...
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger is a former German footballer. He was one of the world's best defenders for a decade in the 1960s. He was nicknamed the "Volkswagen" for his continuity of performance, both in quantity and in quality...
Mordechai Spiegler
Mordechai Spiegler
Mordechai "Motaleh" Spiegler is a former Israeli footballer. He remains Israel's record goalscorer, with 33 goals in 83 caps.In 2005, he was voted the 105th-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest...
Tarcisio Burgnich
Tarcisio Burgnich
Tarcisio Burgnich is a former Italian football defender.After short spells at Udinese, Juventus and Palermo, it was with Internazionale that he found his spiritual home in the 1960s...
Angelo Domenghini
Angelo Domenghini
Angelo Domenghini is an Italian former footballer.Born in Lallio, province of Bergamo, he played for Italy in both the finals of the 1968 European Championship and 1970 World Cup. He played 164 times for Internazionale scoring 54 goals for the club. He also played for Cagliari. He ended his career...
Maouhoub Ghazouani
Maouhoub Ghazouani
Maouhoub Ghazouani is a Moroccan football midfielder who played for Morocco in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He also played for FAR Rabat.-References:...
Mohammed Houmane
Mohammed Houmane
Mohammed Houmane is a Moroccan football forward who played for Morocco in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He also played for Raja CA Casablanca.-References:...
Juan Ignacio Basaguren
Juan Ignacio Basaguren
Juan Ignacio Basaguren García is a former Mexican football player.Basaguren competed for Mexico at the 1968 Summer Olympics and at the 1970 FIFA World Cup. In 1970 he became the first ever substitute player to score in a World Cup match, against El Salvador.-External links:*...
Javier Fragoso
Javier Fragoso
Gonzalo Javier Fragoso Rodríguez is a Mexican football coach and former player. He was a forward for local team América and for the Mexico national team, participating in the 1966 and the 1970 World Cups, and scoring one goal in the latter. He also competed for Mexico at the 1964 Summer...
José Luis González Gustavo Peña
Gustavo Peña
Gustavo Peña Velazco is a retired Mexican footballer.During his club career he played for Oro Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and Monterrey. He earned 82 caps and scored 3 goals for the Mexico national football team from 1961 to 1974, and took part in two FIFA World Cups , where he was captain in both...
Roberto Challe
Roberto Challe
Roberto Federico Chale Olarte, "Roberto Challe" is a former Peruvian football player, recognized as one of Peru's most important midfielders....
Héctor Chumpitaz
Héctor Chumpitaz
Héctor Eduardo Chumpitaz González is a former footballer from Peru...
Emerich Dembrovschi
Emerich Dembrovschi
Emeric Dembroschi, Hungarian: Imre Dembrószky is a former Romanian football player, who played as a striker. He played nearly 400 matches in Romanian Liga 1 and also 27 for Romania...
Alexandru Neagu
Alexandru Neagu
Alexandru "Sandu" Neagu was a Romanian footballer.-Career:He made his debut in 1965 and two years later he won the national championship . He won the Romanian Cup twice in 1972 and 1975...
Kakhi Asatiani
Kakhi Asatiani
Kakhi Asatiani was a Georgian footballer and sports manager.During his career he played for FC Dinamo Tbilisi , Asatiani earned 16 caps for the USSR national football team, and participated in UEFA Euro 1968 and the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He coached FC Dinamo Tbilisi between 1978 and 1982, and...
Vitaly Khmelnitsky
Vitaly Khmelnitsky
Vitaliy Hryhorovych Khmelnytskyi is a former Ukrainian footballer and coach.-Honours:* Soviet Top League winner: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971.* Soviet Cup winner: 1964, 1966.-International career:...
Ove Grahn
Ove Grahn
Jan-Olof "Ove" Grahn was a Swedish footballer.Grahn played for IF Elfsborg. He was then a professional in Switzerland for 10 years....
Tom Turesson
Tom Turesson
Tomas "Tom" Turesson was a Swedish footballer.Tom Turesson played for Hammarby IF from 1960 to 1968. Then he turned professional, playing for the Belgian Club Brugge K.V.. He returned to Hammarby 1970 after the 1970 FIFA World Cup where he scored a goal for Sweden against Israel, and played there...
Luis Cubilla
Luís Cubilla
Luis Alberto Cubilla Almeida is a former Uruguayan football player and coach. He had a successful playing career winning 15 major titles...
Víctor Espárrago Ildo Maneiro
Ildo Maneiro
Ildo Enrique Maneiro Ghezzi is a former Uruguayan professional football player and manager.He played for Uruguay at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, Nacional, Olympique Lyonnais and C.A. Peñarol. He capped 33 times for his country, scoring 3 goals.He went on to became coach of Real Zaragoza.-External...
Juan Mujica
Juan Mujica
Juan Martín Mujica is a former Uruguayan football player and manager, who represented his country at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.Mujica made 22 appearances for the Uruguay national football team between 1966 and 1970, scoring 2 goals....
Own goals Gustavo Peña
Gustavo Peña
Gustavo Peña Velazco is a retired Mexican footballer.During his club career he played for Oro Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and Monterrey. He earned 82 caps and scored 3 goals for the Mexico national football team from 1961 to 1974, and took part in two FIFA World Cups , where he was captain in both...
(for Italy)
FIFA Retrospective Ranking
In 1986, FIFA published a report that ranked all teams in each World Cup up to and including 1986, based on progress in the competition, overall results and quality of the opposition. The rankings for the 1970 tournament were as follows:Final
3rd and 4th place
Eliminated in the quarter-finals
Eliminated at the group stage
- , (same rank)
Notable innovations
For the first time, substitutions were allowed in World Cup play. Each team were allowed to make two substitutions during a match. The Soviet UnionUSSR national football team
The Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
were the first team to make a substitution in World Cup history against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in the opening match. Viktor Serebryanikov
Viktor Serebryanikov
Viktor Petrovich Serebryanikov is a former Soviet Ukrainian footballer.- Statistics for Dynamo :*The statistics in USSR Cups and Europe is made under the scheme "autumn-spring" and enlisted in a year of start of tournaments-Honours:* Soviet Top League winner: 1961, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971.* Soviet...
was the first player to be replaced, by Anatoliy Puzach
Anatoliy Puzach
Anatoliy Kyrylovych Puzach was a Soviet football player and Ukrainian coach...
after 45 minutes.
This World Cup also featured the first ever use of yellow and red cards
Misconduct (football)
Misconduct in association football is any conduct by a player that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction in accordance with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. Misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the...
for cautions and expulsions respectively. (Note that cautions and expulsions already existed prior to 1970.) Five yellow cards were shown in the opening Mexico vs USSR match, while no red cards were given in the tournament. These were thought of when the coach attempted to warn off an offending player in the previous World Cup.