The Brazil team of 1970 holds a unique place in the annals of football history, widely regarded as the greatest international team of all time. Under the stewardship of Mario Zagallo, a visionary manager, Brazil not only dazzled the world with their artistry but also redefined the tactical possibilities of the game. Zagallo inherited a squad brimming with individual brilliance—players like Gerson, Roberto Rivelino, Tostão, Jairzinho, and the inimitable Pelé, all of whom were accustomed to wearing the coveted number 10 jersey for their clubs. Yet, the challenge lay in transforming this constellation of stars into a cohesive, symphonic unit.
Zagallo's genius lay in his ability to adapt and innovate. With Pelé firmly established as Brazil’s number 10, the other creative talents had to be repositioned. Rivelino was tasked with operating on the left of midfield, Tostão took on the role of a roving false nine, and Jairzinho was stationed on the right, albeit with the freedom to roam and exploit spaces as they emerged. A proto-version of Total Football emerged—a concept that would later be synonymous with the Dutch in 1974. Brazil’s players interchanged positions fluidly, creating numerical superiority in one area while exploiting the vacated spaces in another. This tactical fluidity would culminate in one of football’s most iconic moments: Carlos Alberto’s goal in the final against Italy.
The Context of the Final
The 1970 World Cup final was not merely a football match but a clash of philosophies. Brazil, the epitome of flair and creativity, faced an Italian side steeped in defensive discipline and tactical rigidity. Italy, the reigning European champions, boasted a squad laden with talent, many of whom had tasted European Cup success. Their defensive system, catenaccio, relied on a libero or sweeper playing behind a line of man-marking defenders. This approach had made them notoriously difficult to break down.
However, the Italian team was fatigued in the finals. They had endured an arduous semi-final against West Germany, a gruelling 4-3 victory after extra time that had drained their physical reserves. The Mexican afternoon heat and high altitude further compounded their struggles. Yet, these factors alone do not diminish Brazil’s achievement. Italy’s reputation for defensive solidity made the 4-1 scoreline even more remarkable.
The Build-Up to Greatness
As the match approached its conclusion, Brazil led 3-1. In the 85th minute, with the Italians visibly exhausted, Brazil orchestrated a move that would become the gold standard for team goals. It began unassumingly, with Italian midfielder Juliano losing possession to Tostão near the Brazilian penalty area. Tostão, demonstrating the selflessness and work ethic that epitomized this team, tracked back from his forward position to dispossess Juliano.
Tostão played a simple pass to Brito, who was positioned near the edge of the Brazilian penalty area. From there, the symphony began. Brito passed to Clodoaldo, who initiated a series of quick exchanges with Pelé and Gérson. The ball returned to Clodoaldo, who then produced the first moment of magic.
With the composure of a maestro, Clodoaldo embarked on a dribble that dismantled the Italian midfield. Four defenders lunged and flailed, but the Brazilian glided past them with minimal fuss. There was no ostentation, no unnecessary flair—just a masterclass in balance, feints, and precision. By the time Clodoaldo released the ball to Rivelino on the left touchline, the Italian midfield was in tatters.
The Anatomy of a Masterpiece
Rivelino, known for his cannon-like left foot, played a sharp, vertical pass to Jairzinho, who had drifted from the right flank to the left. Jairzinho’s movement stretched the Italian defence, creating vast spaces in their backline. Despite the attentions of Giacinto Facchetti, one of Italy’s most celebrated defenders, Jairzinho maintained control. He cut inside onto his right foot and surged forward, leaving Facchetti trailing.
Before the covering defender could close him down, Jairzinho delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Pelé. Positioned in a withdrawn number 9 role, Pelé epitomized calm and vision. He received the ball, turned with languid grace, and paused momentarily—a heartbeat of genius in which he surveyed the unfolding scene.
From the right flank, Carlos Alberto surged forward like a freight train, exploiting the space vacated by Italy’s overcommitted defence. Pelé, with the precision of a chess grandmaster, rolled the ball into Alberto’s path. The pass was so impeccably timed that Alberto did not need to break stride. Striking the ball with unerring power and accuracy, he sent it hurtling past the Italian goalkeeper into the bottom corner of the net.
The Legacy of a Goal
Carlos Alberto later reflected on the goal in an interview with The Guardian:
"We’d worked on the move in training. Zagallo had said that if we dragged the Italians to the left wing, then I should get forward down the right. He would send his assistant coach to watch opposition matches and take photos with a telephoto lens. He’d come back and give us a slide show on his projector. But it worked. The Italians were obviously too good defensively not to track back, but we noticed that, probably because of the heat, they dropped off later in the game. This was the 85th minute and they were already beat, so I just took off."
Pelé’s awareness and Alberto’s precision epitomized the synchronicity of this team. As Alberto noted, “Pelé and I played so often together that he knew where I was – I didn’t need to shout. He saw me coming and rolled his pass in front of me so I didn’t have to break stride. And I caught it perfectly.”
A Goal for Eternity
Carlos Alberto’s goal was more than just the final flourish of a World Cup campaign; it was a microcosm of everything that made Brazil’s 1970 team extraordinary. It showcased their tactical ingenuity, technical brilliance, and collective harmony. In that one move, the world witnessed the culmination of years of preparation, the melding of individual genius into a greater whole, and the sheer joy of football played at its highest level.
To this day, the goal stands as a testament to the artistry of the game—a moment when football transcended sport and became poetry in motion.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
