Sunday, Apr 21, 2002
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Football
With FIFA having decided that the first country to win the World Cup three times would be given permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy, the 1970 final between Italy and Brazil was a much-awaited affair. For the first time in the history of the final of the tournament, here were two teams that had won the title twice earlier — Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. And naturally, there was more at stake than just the honour of winning the World Cup. In the end, it was fitting finale to a tournament which had seen several exciting encounters; the semi-final between Italy and West Germany, which saw an unbelievable six goals in 21 minutes before the Italians won 4-3 at extra-time, itself being a prime example. Brazil's path to the final too was marked by a classic struggle against Uruguay with the eventual champion being forced to bounce back in the semi-final after Teofilo Cubillas had given its rival a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. The Brazilians had won that encounter 3-1. And as usual before every tie pitting a strong European team against a great South American side the world itself seemed to be divided vertically with one half confident about reigning European champion Italy lifting the title and the other half supremely self-assured that Brazil would triumph. The match itself was an entertaining affair and was much closer than the final score-line would suggest. The opening stanza saw Italy on top with Luigi Riva in the thick of things and getting close to scoring twice in the first 15 minutes. However, it was Brazil which struck first as `King' Pele outjumped Tarscisio Burgnich to head in a Rivelino cross past Enrico Albertosi into the top left-hand corner and find his country's 100th World Cup goal. But a sloppy defence was to give away the lead before long, following an attack initiated by Sandro Mazzola. A silly back- heel by Clodoaldo provided Roberto Boninsegna with possession and the Italian forward, who had made the line-up only because of an injury to Pietro Anastasi, was to make good use of the opportunity by running the ball into the rival net from outside the box. The Italians did not man mark Gerson closely and when the Brazilian began attacking, the Italian cause was lost. Left free to roam around independently Gerson helped Brazil back into the lead with a powerful left-footer from outside the box that brooked no reply from Albertosi. Brazil eased through from then on and found a third goal when Pele helped Jairzinho, with a back-header across the goal off a Gerson free-kick, to emulate Uruguayan Alcide Ghiggia (1950) by scoring in every round and in the final (see picture). And it was not long before Brazil once again scored, this time through its skipper Carlos Ablerto, who after being fed by Pele, blasted a powerful right-footer past the hapless Albertosi. Back home, they called it the President's Goal because the Brazilian President, Gen. Medici had predicted that his team would score four in the final. — A. Vinod
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