Brazil 1-0 England 1970 World Cup

[Emlynsqueakyvoice]

Mazzola retired and set up an oil business !

Boss thread lads. Some great memories and knowledge from you all. Well done!

 

[Drico]

People in England like to talk up that excellent English side in 1970 - the defending champions - but the idea that they were clearly one of the two best sides is a little self flattering. People sometimes forget that the Italians were the reigning European Champions from 1968 and the Germans would go on to succeed them in 1972. In other words, there were four champion level sides in that tournament at different stages in the development cycle.

In the end, as good as England were, they played two of those three other sides - and lost both, albeit narrowly. Italy played two - winning one. West Germany, likewise. Brazil played two as well - and won them both. Therein lies the difference.

 

[Stevie Nicks Bootleg]

People in England like to talk up that excellent English side in 1970 - the defending champions - but the idea that they were clearly one of the two best sides is a little self flattering. People sometimes forget that the Italians were the reigning European Champions from 1968 and the Germans would go on to succeed them in 1972. In other words, there were four champion level sides in that tournament at different stages in the development cycle.

In the end, as good as England were, they played two of those three other sides - and lost both, albeit narrowly. Italy played two - winning one. West Germany, likewise. Brazil played two as well - and won them both. Therein lies the difference.

Agree. The idea that England would have beaten Italy doesn't really wash with me- it was definitely a 'pick em' game, with not much to choose between the team. They were chock-full of European cup winners from Inter/AC, Serie A winners and had four of the best players in Europe- Facchetti, Mazzola, Riva and Rivera- who was the current Ballon D'or holder at that time. So much quality and England often struggled vs defensive teams who could basically 'outbore' them (no mean feat, that). For me, England's over-reliance on the full backs- Newton and Cooper- to work the channels in the afternoon Mexican heat- was always going to be a factor later on in the competition. Both had great tournaments and, for me, behind only Moore as England best performer(s) but their energy looked sapped in the later stages of the W.Germany game and this was exploited by Helmet Schön.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Classic game where England gave it a right good go against the best team in the world

It some ways it's a shame that we didn't get the rematch in the Final. I think it would have been a tighter battle than the game Italy gave the Brazilians in the final

I reckon Brazil would have prevailed regardless, but maybe by a narrower margin