World Cup Final 21 June 1970

Azteca Stadium, Mexico City
Brazil 4 (Pele 18, Gerson 66, Jairzinho 71, Carlos Alberto 86) Italy 1 (Boninsegna 37)

Brazil: Felix, Carlos Alberto, Brito, Wilson Piazza, Everaldo, Clodoaldo, Gerson, Jairzinho, Tostao, Pele, Rivelino.

Italy: Albertosi, Burgnich, Cera, Rosato, Facchetti , Bertini (Juliano 75), Mazzola, Domenghini, De Sisti, Boninsegna (Rivera 84), Riva.

Referee: Glockner (East Germany)
Yellow Cards: Rivelino, Burgnich

The dazzling Brazilians put on a show to match the occasion to secure their third World Cup victory, and in doing so ensure they kept hold of the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Mario Zagallo had moulded a team around the midfield talents of Gerson, Tostao and Rivelino, topped off by the goalscoring right-winger Jairzinho and the undoubted superstar Pele. In qualifying for the Final they had won all three group games and then seen off South American rivals Peru and Uruguay in the quarters and the semis.

The Italians, blessed with talents of Gigi Riva, but strangely keeping Gianni Rivera in reserve, had emerged from the other side of the draw following an epic semi-final encounter with West Germany, winning 4-3 after extra time.

Brazil took a few minutes to get into their stride, but after 18 minutes took the lead as Pele soared to meet Tostao¹s far post cross, sending a header wide of the despairing Albertosi in the Italian goal.

Twenty minutes of Brazilian control followed, but a lapse of concentration at the back allowed Boninsegna to fire home into an empty net from 20 yards out, making the game level at half-time.

Although never panicked, Brazil were grateful for a searing 25-yard drive from Gerson that gave Brazil the lead again 20 minutes into the second period.

Five minutes later Jairzinho completed his remarkable record of having scored in every game of the finals tournament, forcing the ball home from close range to put Brazil in total control.

The best was yet to come though as Brazil transported the ball all the way from centre-half to Jairzinho hovering on the left wing for once. His ball inside to Pele was beautifully held up until the onrushing skipper Carlos Alberto arrived from right-back to smash the ball in from the edge of the area.

In one move Brazil had encapsulated the spirit of adventurous, attacking football that made them the best team in the world.

A few minutes later Carlos Alberto held the trophy aloft, knowing that his side had played a brand of football that many have seen as prove that this side was the greatest team to take to the field.