I have enjoyed reading the article My World Cup souvenirs by Rama Valayden, published in l’express on the 13th of June 2018. Let me now share with you my memories of the 1970 Cup Final between Brazil and Italy – perhaps the greatest Cup final the soccer world has ever witnessed.

Brazil were the hot favourites, and right from the start, in the second minute, Brazilian midfielder Rivelino flung a powerful left-foot shot that Italian goalkeeper Albertosi just managed to tip over. The game had begun in earnest.

Brazil continued to attack but the strict manfor- man marking by the Italians almost spoiled the game. Burgnich followed Pelé like a shadow, Rosato took Tostao, and Fachetti was as if chained to Jairzinho. But Brazil continued to press forward and when a team has a line of such fine attackers, not even Italy’s cantenaccio – door bolt defence – can resist for long. And it took only seventeen minutes for Brazil to break that cat-and-mouse approach when Rivelino centred the ball and Pelé, who had managed to break loose, made a perfect leap to nod the ball into the net.

Brazil was in the lead; it was their hundredth goal in the final stages of the World Cup, but would they win? For, up till then, every team that had scored first in a World Cup Final had eventually lost. Would history repeat itself?

Indeed, eight minutes from half-time, the Brazilians were knocked out of their stride. Clodoaldo tried a silly back heel and Italian Boninsegna snatched the ball. He raced forward. Felix, the Brazilian goalkeeper, dashed out to meet him and Boninsegna just pushed the ball into the empty net.

Right on half-time, Pelé threatening as ever, shot the ball once more into the Italian net. But the goal was refused. East German referee signalled that he had already blown the whistle for half time before Pelé got the ball.

The second half began. Italy failed to press home their psychological advantage and Brazil had a complete grip on the game. It was almost like a one way traffic. The Italians responded with desperate and at times illegal tackles but the Brazilian attack simply tore these defensive attempts to shreds. One had the impression that the Italians were more intent in not losing the match than winning it! The gold-shirted Brazilians were almost everywhere. Their front men, swapping positions with bewildering speed, made fun of the Italian defence. It was only a question of time and in the 59^th minute Pelé knocked a free kick to Rivelino who, from 30 yards, let fly a powerful left kick. Italian goalkeeper Albertosi was beaten but luck was on the Italian side, and the ball bounced off the top bar.

But to quote Reuters, “it was only a postponement of the inevitable”. Five minutes later, Everaldo passed a ball to Gerson and the midfielder, from 25 yards, flung a tremendous left foot shot that almost ripped the Italian net! Brazil was in the lead : 2 – 1.

It was the signal, it seemed, for Brazil to run amok, and within five minutes of that second goal, Gerson was there once more to play a decisive role. He took a free kick. His ball found Pelé who nodded the ball down to Jairzinho. The wing ace player missed his first attempt, but still found time to flick the ball into the net. Brazil : 3, Italy : 1.

Brazil had taken complete control and according to a reporter “had it been a boxing match, the referee would have called a halt”. Amid samba rhythms and the chants of “Brazil! Brazil!’’, Jairzinho, Tostao and Pelé just tore through the Italian defence. Perhaps, anyone of those three could have scored but they wanted to leave this final honour to their captain, defender Carlos Alberto.

Three minutes from the end, the ball just flew from Jairzinho to Pelé. The star player had noticed Carlos Alberto on the right. He made a dazzling pass and the Brazilian captain running along at full speed had a perfect appointment with the ball. He caught it in his stride and slammed it into the net. The match was over. Brazil : 4, Italy : 1.

Brazil had indeed been the outstanding team of this 1970 tournament. They had scored in every match. They played football for the sheer fun of it. Their defence at times left something to be desired but they showed to the world that the best defence is to attack. The more so, if you have players of such caliber like Pelé and Jairzinho.

Pelé was the fast thinker, the master dribbler, who took his time and looked so calm in any situation. Whereas Jairzinho, another fine dribbler, was the sprinter who often looked edgy when he raced along to snatch a ball before shooting it – in a perfect cross – at goal.

Eleven world cups have passed since then. Shall we see once more a national side with such a collective skill as that Brazil team of 1970 – and with so many players capable of such individual wizardry? Well, we’ll have the answer by the 15th July.