Introduction: 1970 World Cup
With a team of stars, the Brazilian team in the 1970 World FIFA Cup rocked a generation living under the military regime in the country. The matches broadcast live for the first time on TV brought Brazil to a halt, as it saw a World Cup with new rules and colors.
Mexico hosts the 1970 World Cup
The choice of Mexico as the host country for the ninth edition of the World Cup was largely due to the infrastructure obtained from the Olympic Games held in the country two years earlier.
To meet the demands of the TV stations, many matches of the 1970 World Cup were held at noon, under the strong sun. The altitude was also an element of concern for many participating teams: more than 2,000 meters above sea level.
Mighty Argentina was eliminated in the qualifying round by Peru and did not participate in the 1970 World Cup. Israel surprised the world by drawing with the dreaded Italy, who recovered and made it to the final.
New rules in the World Cup
The 1970 World Cup introduced two major novelties:
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The yellow card (warning) and the red card (expulsion). A solution found to avoid communication problems between referees, who did not always understand each other through gestures and whistles.
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Allowing two substitutions per team during matches. Previously, the 11 players scheduled for the game could not be replaced, even if they were injured.
First Cup broadcast live on TV for Brazil
The 1970 World Cup was the first to be broadcast live on TV throughout Brazil. The country received the color images, but most Brazilians didn’t have devices with this technology, watching the games in black and white.
The TV coverage changed the country’s routine: workers left work earlier, classes were canceled, public services declared an optional day off.
Brazilian National Team in the 1970 World Cup
Brazil was going through a troubled period of military rule, and the government was making efforts to turn the Brazilian team into a form of propaganda. Investments were made and the coaching staff included, for the first time, a physical trainer, a masseur, and a doctor.
With only three months to the start of the 1970 World Cup, the president at the time, General Emílio Garrastazu Médici, reportedly influenced the departure of coach João Saldanha and the return of Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo. Even so, confidence in the Brazilian team was not shaken.
The players of the 1970 World Cup were rocked to one of the most iconic anthems of the Brazilian national team, where “ninety million in action” cheered Pelé, Rivellino, and Jairzinho and all the stars that were on the team.
Brazil in the 1970 World Cup: Goalkeeper: Félix. Backfielders: Brito, Piazza In the midfield: Clodoaldo, Pelé, Gérson. Lateral: Everaldo, Carlos Alberto. Forwards: Jairzinho, Tostão and Rivelino.
Historic defense in the 1970 World Cup
In the match between Brazil and England, a moment that remains in the memory of football. Pelé head-butted the ball precisely into the right corner of the English goal. The goal seemed certain, if not for the miraculous save by goalkeeper Gordon Banks.
Brazil in the 1970 World Cup: Goalkeeper: Félix. Backfielders: Brito, Piazza In the midfield: Clodoaldo, Pelé, Gérson. Lateral: Everaldo, Carlos Alberto. Forwards: Jairzinho, Tostão and Rivelino.
Historic defense in the 1970 World Cup
In the match between Brazil and England, a moment that remains in the memory of football. Pelé head-butted the ball precisely into the right corner of the English goal. The goal seemed certain, if not for the miraculous save by goalkeeper Gordon Banks.
Final of the 1970 World Cup
The final was played by Brazil and Italy at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. The champion team would take definitive possession of the Jules Rimet Cup. With goals by Pelé, Gérson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto Torres, the Brazilian team beat the Italians 4-1.
Jairzinho scored in all of Brazil’s games in the 1970 World Cup, but lost the golden boot to German top scorer Gerd Müller (10 goals).
!970 World CupThe Brazilian team’s campaign in the 1970 World Cup turned this team into a football legend. Brazil was three-time World Cup champion.
World Cup Series:
- 16 Curiosities of the World Cup
- Episode 01: World Cup of 30
- Episode 02: World Cup of 34
- Episode 03: World Cup of 38
- Episode 04: World Cup of 54
- Episode 05: World Cup of 58
- Episode 06: World Cup of 62
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
FIFA. 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile. Available at: <http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/chile1962/index.html>. Accessed on: 12/03/2018