1970 FIFA World Cup final

World Cup final, held in Mexico April 2018 1970 FIFA World Cup final Brazil v italy 1970 06.jpg 200 Both teams lining up before the match 1970 FIFA World Cup Brazil BRA 1968 30px 4 Italy ITA 1946 30px 1 21 June 1970 Estadio Azteca Mexico City Rudi Glöckner (East Germany) 107,412 1966 1974 The final match of the 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth edition of FIFA's competition for national football teams, was played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, on 21 June 1970, and was contested by Brazil and Italy. The tournament comprised hosts Mexico, defending champions England, and 14 other teams who emerged from the qualification phase, organized by the six FIFA confederations. The 16 teams competed in a group stage, from which 8 teams qualified for the knockout stage. En route to the final, Brazil finished atop Group 3, with three wins, before defeating Peru in the quarter-final and Uruguay in the semi-final. Italy finished first in Group 2, with one win and two draws, after which they defeated Mexico in the quarter-final and West Germany in the semi-final. Background The 1970 FIFA World Cup was the ninth edition of the World Cup, FIFA's football competition for national teams, held in Mexico between 31 May and 21 June 1970.World Cup: History & Winners Encyclopædia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football 22 September 2021 19 August 2021 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210828023709/https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football 28 August 2021Stokkermans Karel Jarreta Sergio Henrique World Cup 1970 https://www.rsssf.org/tables/70f.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114857/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/70f.html July 20, 2022 August 21, 2026 RSSSF Mexico and England qualified automatically for the finals — Mexico as hosts and England as winners of the previous World Cup. The remaining 14 spots were decided through qualifying rounds held between November 1968 and December 1969, organized by the six FIFA confederations.Stokkermans Karel Jarreta Sergio Henrique World Cup 1970 Qualifying https://www.rsssf.org/tables/70q.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20260509232408/https://rsssf.org/tables/70q.html May 9, 2026 August 21, 2026 RSSSF In the finals, the team were divided into four groups of four with each other playing each other once in a round-robin format. The two top teams from each group advanced to a knock-out phase. Holders England were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 1970. Brazil and Italy had previously met four times; their first encounter was in the semi-finals of the 1938 tournament, which Italy won 2–1. The most recent meeting between the two teams before the 1970 World Cup was at a friendly match at the San Siro on 12 May 1963, which Italy won 3–0.Brazil national football team: record v Italy https://www.11v11.com/teams/brazil/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Italy/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20130708035234/https://www.11v11.com/teams/brazil/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Italy/ July 8, 2013 August 22, 2026 11v11 Route to the final Brazil Brazil qualified for the tournament as Group 2 winners in the South American qualifiers.Stokkermans Karel Jarreta Sergio Henrique World Cup 1970 Qualifying https://www.rsssf.org/tables/70q.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20221028042323/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/70q.html October 28, 2022 August 21, 2026 RSSSF They were drawn into Group 3 for the World Cup, in which they were joined by England, Romania, and Czechoslovakia.Stokkermans Karel Jarreta Sergio Henrique World Cup 1970 https://www.rsssf.org/tables/70f.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220720114857/https://rsssf.org/tables/70f.html July 20, 2022 August 21, 2026 RSSSF Their first group game was against Czechoslovakia at Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara on 3 June.Czechoslovakia v Brazil, 03 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/czechoslovakia-v-brazil-03-june-1970-231014/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20160619025239/https://www.11v11.com/matches/czechoslovakia-v-brazil-03-june-1970-231014/ June 19, 2016 August 21, 2026 11v11 Ladislav Petráš opened the scoring for Czechoslovakia in the eleventh minute, with Rivellino equalizing from a free kick thirteen minutes later. Pelé scored to give Brazil the lead in the second half, with Jairzinho scoring Brazil's third and fourth goals to seal a 4–1 victory for Brazil.June 4, 1970 Brazil routs Czechoslovakia The Michigan Daily 4 Mexico City Associated Press In their second group game, Brazil played England in Guadalajara on 7 June.England v Brazil, 07 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/england-v-brazil-07-june-1970-231023/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20251009174140/https://www.11v11.com/matches/england-v-brazil-07-june-1970-231023/ October 9, 2025 August 21, 2026 11v11 Jairzinho scored the only goal of the game from eight yards after receiving Pelé's pass to give Brazil a 1–0 win.June 8, 1970 Brazilians nip England in cup tilt Windsor Star 19 Mexico City The Canadian Press Their third and final group game was against Romania in Guadalajara on 10 June.Brazil v Romania, 10 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/brazil-v-romania-10-june-1970-231028/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260712132834/https://www.11v11.com/matches/brazil-v-romania-10-june-1970-231028/ July 12, 2026 August 21, 2026 11v11 Pelé struck the first goal from a free kick in the 19th minute, with Jairzinho doubling Brazil's lead three minutes later. Florea Dumitrache pulled a goal back for Romania in the 34th minute, with the first half finishing 2–1. Pelé scored Brazil's third goal in the 65th minute, before Emerich Dembrovschi added a second for Romania six minutes before the end of regular time.June 11, 1970 Pele keeps Brazilians on right track Vancouver Sun 27 Mexico 135 Brazil's quarter-final match was against Peru in Guadalajara on 14 June.Brazil v Peru, 14 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/brazil-v-peru-14-june-1970-231038/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250116232219/https://www.11v11.com/matches/brazil-v-peru-14-june-1970-231038/ January 16, 2025 August 21, 2026 11v11 Brazil held on to a 2–1 lead in the first half, with both Brazilian goals from Rivellino and Tostão, and one from Alberto Gallardo for Peru. Seven minutes into the second half, Tostão scored his second from a rebound of Pelé's shot to make it 3–1, before Teófilo Cubillas added Peru's second in the 69th minute. Jairzinho scored five minutes before the end of regular time to seal another Brazilian victory of 4–2.June 15, 1970 Pele Stars The Gazette 13 Brazil's opponents in the semi-final were Uruguay in Guadalajara on 17 June.Uruguay v Brazil, 17 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/uruguay-v-brazil-17-june-1970-231040/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220707041317/https://www.11v11.com/matches/uruguay-v-brazil-17-june-1970-231040/ July 7, 2022 August 21, 2026 11v11 Uruguay took the lead after eighteen minutes when Brito's mis-hit clearance fell to Julio Morales, who passed it to Luis Cubilla, who scored past goalkeeper Félix. Clodoaldo equalized for Brazil in the 44th minute, with Jairzinho scoring in the 76th minute to give Brazil the lead. With one minute remaining, Rivellino hit a left-footed drive shot following Pele's pass to secure a 3-1 victory for Brazil and progress the team to their fourth consecutive final.June 18, 1970 Brazil into Final The Herald 6 122 Italy Italy qualified for the tournament as Group 3 winners in the European qualifiers. They were drawn into Group 2, alongside Sweden, Uruguay, and Israel. In their first group game against Sweden at Nemesio Diez Stadium in Toluca on 3 June,Sweden v Italy, 03 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/sweden-v-italy-03-june-1970-231017/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20160701210829/http://www.11v11.com/matches/sweden-v-italy-03-june-1970-231017/ July 1, 2016 August 21, 2026 11v11 Angelo Domenghini scored the only goal of the game in the first half, in which defender Comunardo Niccolai was forced off injured after a collision with striker Ove Kindvall.June 4, 1970 Brazil powerhouse beats Czechs 4-1 The Gazette 28 Mexico City Reuters Their second group game against Uruguay at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla on 6 JuneUruguay v Italy, 06 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/uruguay-v-italy-06-june-1970-231020/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20160701234257/http://www.11v11.com/matches/uruguay-v-italy-06-june-1970-231020/ July 1, 2016 August 21, 2026 11v11 ended in a goalless draw.June 8, 1970 Russia, Peru For Finals The Sydney Morning Herald 11 Mexico City Similarly, Italy's third and final group game against Israel in Toluca on 11 June finished with no scoring,Italy v Israel, 11 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/italy-v-israel-11-june-1970-231033/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250907051953/https://www.11v11.com/matches/italy-v-israel-11-june-1970-231033/ September 7, 2025 August 21, 2026 11v11 despite various chances from the Italians. Nevertheless, Italy managed to qualify for the quarter-final.Quarter-finalists decided The StarPhoenix 18 Mexico City 200 Associated Press Italy's opponents in the quarter-final were Mexico in Toluca on 14 June.Mexico v Italy, 14 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/mexico-v-italy-14-june-1970-231037/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250915132137/https://www.11v11.com/matches/mexico-v-italy-14-june-1970-231037/ September 15, 2025 August 21, 2026 11v11 José Luis González Dávila struck the first goal from close range in the 12th minute to give Mexico the lead, but Javier Guzmán scored an own goal halfway through the first half, allowing Italy to equalize. Gigi Riva added a third goal for Italy in the 63rd minute, followed by a goal from second-half substitute Gianni Rivera seven minutes later. Riva scored his team's fourth goal in the 76th minute to seal a 4–1 victory for Italy.June 15, 1970 England plays it cute, blows World Cup match Windsor Star 23 Mexico City The Canadian Press In the semi-final, Italy faced West Germany at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 17 June.Germany v Italy, 17 June 1970 https://www.11v11.com/matches/germany-v-italy-17-june-1970-231041/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20250806025423/https://www.11v11.com/matches/germany-v-italy-17-june-1970-231041/ August 6, 2025 August 21, 2026 11v11 In a match dubbed by The Daily Telegraph as the "Game of the Century" in 2012,https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/germany/9361429/Euro-2012-five-classic-tournament-matches-between-Germany-and-Italy-including-the-Game-of-the-Century.html Euro 2012: five classic tournament matches between Germany and Italy including the 'Game of the Century' telegraph.co.uk Matt Wagg 28 June 2012 27 April 2016 Italy won 4–3. Italy took the lead after eight minutes through Roberto Boninsegna, with Karl-Heinz Schnellinger equalizing the score before the end of regular time, forcing the match into extra time. Gerd Müller gave West Germany the lead in the 94th minute, but Tarcisio Burgnich levelled for Italy five minutes later. In the 104th minute, Italy retook the lead from a goal by Gigi Riva, before Müller added his second for West Germany a minute later, tying the score 3-3. In the 111th minute, Gianni Rivera received Roberto Rosato's pass in the penalty area and scored the winning goal.June 18, 1970 Italians Triumph Over Germany In Epic Struggle To Reach Final The Michigan Daily 12 Mexico City Associated Press BRARoundITAOpponentResultGroup stageOpponentResultCZE Czechoslovakia4–1Match 1SWE1–0ENG1–0Match 2URU0–0ROU 19653–2Match 3ISR0–0Group 3 winner TeamPld PlayedW WonD DrawnL LostGF Goals forGA Goals againstGD Goal differencePts PointsBRA330083+56ENG320121+14ROU 1965310245−12CZE Czechoslovakia300327−50Final group standingsGroup 2 winner TeamPld PlayedW WonD DrawnL LostGF Goals forGA Goals againstGD Goal differencePts PointsITA312010+14URU311121+13SWE31112203ISR302113−22OpponentResultKnockout stageOpponentResultPER4–2Quarter-finalsMEX4–1URU3–1Semi-finalsWest Germany4–3 Match thumb|Recreation of Pelé's room at the Inter-American Social Security Conference Hotel of Mexico City, their hotel prior to their match against Italy on June 21, 1970. Summary 450 2 Brazil v italia 1970 01.jpg Brazil v italia 1970 02.jpg Brazil v italia 1970 04.jpg Brazil v italia 1970 05.jpg Sequences of the 2nd and 3rd Brazil goals scored by Gerson (above) and Jairzinho (below), respectively Brazil struck first, with Pelé heading in a cross by Rivellino in the 18th minute.http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3058/coca-cola-memorable-moments/2010/06/10/1968267/coca-cola-memorable-celebrations-1-peles-iconic-leap-of-joy Coca-Cola Memorable Celebrations 1: Pele's iconic leap of joy after scoring Brazil's century goal Goal.com 10 June 2010 8 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20100613153050/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3058/coca-cola-memorable-moments/2010/06/10/1968267/coca-cola-memorable-celebrations-1-peles-iconic-leap-of-joy 13 June 2010 dead Roberto Boninsegna equalized for Italy after a blunder in the Brazilian defence. In the second half, Brazil's firepower and creativity was too much for an Italian side that clung to their cautious defensive system. Gérson fired in a powerful shot for the second goal, and then helped provide the third, with a long free kick to Pelé who headed down into the path of the onrushing Jairzinho. Pelé capped his superb performance by drawing the Italian defence in the centre and feeding captain Carlos Alberto on the right flank for the final score. Carlos Alberto's goal, after a series of moves by the Brazilian team from the left to the centre, is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored in the history of the tournament.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/brazil/4759831.stm The perfect goal 2 June 2006 BBC Sport British Broadcasting Corporation 8 May 2011 Andrew Benson https://web.archive.org/web/20060614134033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/brazil/4759831.stm 14 June 2006 live A total of seven outfield players from Brazil passed the ball until captain Carlos Alberto hammered the ball into the corner of the Italian goal following a pass across the Italian penalty area from Pelé, prompted by Tostão, who, with his back to the goal, told Pelé that Alberto was steaming in on the right flank. Tostão started the move five yards from the left of the Brazilian penalty area, then ran the length of the field to the Italian box without touching the ball again to tell Pelé to lay it off for Alberto. The players involved in the passes in order were Tostão, Piazza, Clodoaldo, Pelé and Gérson. Clodoaldo beat four Italian players in his own half before passing to Rivellino who hit a perfect pass down the wing to Jairzinho. Jairzinho crossed from the wing to the centre of the box to Pelé who held the ball up to play a pass for Alberto to smash it home. The only outfield players not involved in the move were Everaldo and Brito, although the ball did ricochet off Everaldo's foot when he was nutmegged by Juliano in the tackle. This caused the ball to run loose for Tostao as he tracked back. In 2002, the UK public voted the goal as number 36 in the list of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.100 Greatest sporting moments – results https://web.archive.org/web/20020115144251/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest_sporting/results.html 15 January 2002 Channel 4. Retrieved 29 August 2014https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/oct/25/world-cup-final-1970-brazil-v-italy-as-it-happened World Cup final 1970: Brazil v Italy – as it happened 25 October 2016 Guardian 26 October 2016 6 December 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221206063946/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/oct/25/world-cup-final-1970-brazil-v-italy-as-it-happened live Details 1970 6 21 y 12:00 UTC−6 BRA 1968 1970 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Final 4–1 1970 FIFA World Cup final ITA Pelé 18 Gérson 66 Jairzinho 71 Carlos Alberto 86 Boninsegna 37 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City 107,412 Rudi Glöckner (East Germany) https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/32/3476/1765 Brazil vs Italy Final 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico FIFA 1 May 2026 http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=3476/match=1765/index.html 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico – Matches – Brazil v Italy FIFA 1 May 2026 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20171229232231/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=3476/match=1765/index.html 29 December 2017 _greenborder _greencollar _greenborder _white_stripes _bra74hl FDE910 FDE910 FDE910 0070F9 FFFFFF Brazil _ita70h _2whitestripes 3120CC 3120CC 3120CC FFFFFF 3120CC Italy GK 1 FélixRB 4 Carlos Alberto (c)CB 2 BritoCB 3 PiazzaLB 16EveraldoCM 5 ClodoaldoCM 8 GérsonRW 7 JairzinhoLW 11Rivellino 45SS 10Pelé CF 9 Tostão Substitutes:GK 12AdoDF 6 Marco AntônioFW 13RobertoDF 15FontanaFW 18CajuManager:Mário Zagallo414x414px GK 1 Enrico Albertosi RB 2 Tarcisio Burgnich 27CB 8 Roberto RosatoCB 5 Pierluigi CeraLWB 3 Giacinto Facchetti (c)DM 10Mario Bertini 74CM 16Giancarlo De SistiRW 13Angelo DomenghiniAM 15Sandro MazzolaCF 20Roberto Boninsegna 84CF 11Gigi RivaSubstitutes:GK 12Dino ZoffDF 4 Fabrizio PolettiMF 14Gianni Rivera 84MF 18Antonio Juliano 74MF 21Giuseppe FurinoManager:Ferruccio Valcareggi Assistant referees: Rudolf Scheurer (Switzerland) Ángel Coerezza (Argentina) |}Match rules: 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra time if necessary Replay on 23 June if scores still level Five named substitutes Maximum of two substitutions Post-match thumb|Pelé celebrating after winning the match. It was his last World Cup as he would retire from the national team one year laterUn día como hoy Pelé jugó su último partido con la selección brasileña on Libero, 18 Jul 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201002034402/https://libero.pe/futbol-internacional/1572907-pele-jugo-ultimo-partido-seleccion-brasilena-yugoslavia-efemerides-maracana-rivelino-gerson 2 October 2020 With this third win after their 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories, Brazil became the world's most successful national football team at that time, surpassing both Italy and Uruguay, who each had two championships. The third title earned Brazil the right to retain the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uplSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6097%2C2070851 St. Petersburg Times Associated Press Brazil 22 June 1970 1C 18 October 2022 6 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20221018124729/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uplSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6097,2070851 live https://www.fifa.com/news/brazil-heroes-1970-relive-their-days-glory-73382 Brazil's heroes of 1970 relive their days of glory FIFA.com Fédération Internationale de Football Association 10 June 2000 9 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20190205191934/https://www.fifa.com/news/brazil-heroes-1970-relive-their-days-glory-73382 5 February 2019 it was stolen in 1983 while on display in Rio de Janeiro and never recovered. Thirty-eight-year-old Brazilian coach Mário Zagallo became the first footballer to win the World Cup as a player (1958, 1962) and a coach, as well the second youngest coach to win a World Cup, after Alberto Suppici in 1930. Pelé ended his World Cup playing career as the competition's first (and as of 2026, only) three-time winner.http://www.goal.com/en/news/60/south-america/2010/10/21/2176031/70-facts-about-brazil-legend-football-icon-pele-on-his-70th 70 Facts About Brazil Legend Football Icon Pele On His 70th Birthday Goal.com 21 October 2010 8 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101023020649/http://www.goal.com/en/news/60/south-america/2010/10/21/2176031/70-facts-about-brazil-legend-football-icon-pele-on-his-70th 23 October 2010 dead Twelve years later, the 1982 FIFA World Cup saw Italy defeat Brazil 3–2 in the match known as the "Sarrià Tragedy" (Tragédia do Sarrià). Legacy Historically, this 1970 Brazil squad is generally revered as the best World Cup team.Molinaro John THE TOP 10 WORLD CUP TEAMS OF ALL-TIME https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/ranking-top-10-world-cup-teams-time/ Sportsnet Sportsnet 2026-07-20 20 July 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260720111723/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/ranking-top-10-world-cup-teams-time/ live See also 1994 FIFA World Cup final Brazil 70: The Third Star (Netflix miniseries) Brazil–Italy football rivalry Brazil at the FIFA World Cup Italy at the FIFA World Cup References Match reports Report Final 1970 1970 1970 Final Final 1970-06-21 Category:Football competitions in Mexico City Category:1970s in Mexico City Category:June 1970 sports events in North America Category:Men's international association football finals in North America Category:Football matches in Mexico