50 years on from the greatest team in football history
“That was sheer delightful football.”
Kenneth Wolstenholme may be best known for his “they think it’s all over . . .” line at the end of the 1966 World Cup Final.
But four years later, he also perfectly summed up the conclusion to the 1970 Final in Mexico, when Brazil claimed a third title in four tournaments.
That was 50 years ago today, at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, and the South Americans announced themselves as the greatest team of that era – or perhaps of any era.
Pele was of course the standout individual, but it was a hugely-cohesive XI.
Their synchronicity was probably best expressed in the flowing move from defence to attack which led to overlapping full-back Carlos Alberto firing in the fourth and final goal in the victory over Italy.
But this was no free-wheeling group who simply took the view that they would outscore their opponents, and to hell with defending.
Brazil employed a conventional back four, and even had two midfield screens in front of that – Clodoaldo and Gerson.
“It was a team assembled two years earlier, in 1968, on a tour of Europe and the Americas,” Gerson recalled.
“What made that team special was the chemistry we had, as well as our technical, physical and tactical qualities.
“All that made us one of the best teams to this day.”
Brazil could consider themselves unfortunate to be up against world champions England at the group stage, but overcame Sir Alf Ramsey’s men in the searing heat of Guadalajara.
England goalkeeper Gordon Banks made arguably the Save of the Century to deny Pele in the first half, but he could do nothing to keep out a powerful drive from Jairzinho in the second.
Brazil had effectively been rough-housed out of the 1966 World Cup in England, having won their first two titles in 1958 and 1962.
Gerson says he always expected it would be West Germany, rather than Italy, who his team would line up against in the 1970 Final.
But the Azzurri prevailed 4-3 after extra-time in a frantic semi-final.
“From a technical standpoint, Germany were a better team than Italy,” he said.
“Italy were a slightly younger team, but they had over-exerted themselves in the game against Germany, running too much.
“That took a lot out of them, having to play at midday in the Mexican heat.
“For us, it was ideal, because they wore each other out, Italy especially.
“They were more fatigued than us by the time we played. Brazil were technically superior, which all combined to give us victory in the deciding game.”
Pele headed Brazil in front but a defensive mix-up enabled Roberto Boninsegna to pull Italy level before half-time.
It was Gerson who restored Brazil’s lead with 24 minutes to go, with an incredible angled drive which seemed to sap any last ounce of energy from the Italians.
Jairzinho scrambled in a third to give him the distinction of having scored in every game, before Carlos Alberto’s coup de grace.