The 1970 World Cup in Mexico will always be remembered for its colour. Not because he was (also) in the tribunes of the Aztec country, because Being the first color television World Cup in history. After decades and decades of black and white, a new horizon was opening up. The determination of the venue was not without controversy. It was a Latin American country, and Mexico and Argentina were fighting for the jackpot. Despite organizing the Olympic Games two years ago, it was the land of Frida Kahlo and Pancho Villa who took the cat to the water.
One of the great arguments was based on an architectural gem that was almost unmatched in the world. An Aztec stadium boasting great visibility and avant-garde design, capable of hosting 110,000 spectators. Brazil and Italy, having won two of the last three World Cups, would play the final there. ‘Canarinha’ was a tribute to football. He is led by an already mature Pelé (30 years old) and a number of period midfielders such as Rivelino, Gerson, Tostao and Clodoaldo (“five-tens ahead”).
The prize for the team led by Zagallo was delicious: take the third title and keep the trophy in the property. The only team to achieve this, as in the current format there is no longer a way for the winner to hold the trophy (Germany ceased to be referred to as the Jules Rimet Cup from ’74).
Brazil was eliminated in the final
‘Verdeamarela’ Italy defeated Fachetti, Riva and Boninsegna 4-1. Without palliatives. Pelé, Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto smashed the transalpine team. It was also the World Cup, which is considered one of the best stops in the history of competition. What the British Gordon Banks did to Pelé in the group stage. A spectacular header from the Brazilian brought out the goalkeeper’s cat response.
The most groundbreaking World Cup
In addition to being seen in color for the first time in 1970, Mexico had two other important innovations: Substitutions and yellow cards. Two substitutions were allowed without justification for injury (until then the goalkeeper could only be replaced due to physical problems). The season opened with cards. Until then, the reprimands were verbal, and most were ignored. From there, yellow and red as we know it today.
Perhaps the biggest failure was the Bobbys’ England. Moore and Charlton. Things didn’t start well when Moore was arrested before his first warm-up match against Bogota when he was arrested after being accused of stealing a gold bracelet from a jewelry store. Having just won their first (and only) World Cup, the Brits took to the streets in the quarter-finals against West Germany (3-2).