CHAMPION: Brazil
RUNNER-UP: Italy
GOLDEN SHOE: Gerd Mueller (GER)
TEAMS: 16
TOTAL MATCHES: 32
GOALS SCORED: 95 (3.0 per match)
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 50,124
SUPRISES: The semifinal ‘Match of the Century’ between Italy and West Germany featured five extra time goals (after 1-1 at full time) as the Azzurri moved on to the final with a 4-3 victory.
FORMAT: Four teams in four groups in the preliminary stage, followed by a single elimination knockout round.
1970 – For the first time in history, the World Cup was played outside of Europe or South America as Mexico hosted the tournament in 1970. One of the greatest squads ever assembled, Brazil returned to prominence by beating Italy in the final at the famous Estadio Azteca.
Pele, who almost didn’t make the trip due to the abuse he suffered in England four years earlier, and Jairzinho thrilled the crowds en route to the Jules Rimet trophy, but German marksman Gerd Mueller took the Golden Shoe honors with 10 goals. Their exploits were further enhanced for the international audience since the tournament was the first to be broadcast in color.
And while Brazil’s 4-1 win over Italy in the final was a spectacular finish, it still never compared to the Azzurri’s semifinal confrontation with West Germany. In what would later be known as the ‘Game of the Century,’ the Italians gave up a late equalizer to Karl-Heinz Schnellinger that sent the match into extra time at 1-1.
During the extra time session, both teams erupted and traded goals back and forth until eventually Italy left the pitch with a triumphant 4-3 victory. Many believe that the supreme effort Italy required to win that semifinal left them with nothing left in the tank to face mighty Brazil in the final.
