FIFA World Cup 1970 - Group 3 - Historical Football Kits

FIFA World Cup 1970 Group 3

world cup 1970 poster England, the defending world champions arrived in Mexico with a team that was arguably better than in 1966. Alf Ramsey (now a knight) commissioned special aertex kits to combat the heat and the team wore white rather than navy shorts in the believe these would absorb less heat from the sun. Brazil were led by Carlos Alberto and included Pelé, Clodoaldo, Gérson, Jairzinho, Rivelino, and Tostão, all world class players. They arrived with two sets of shirts, one made by a domestic supplier, Athleta, the other by Umbro. These were indistinguishable except for the design of the numbers on the back. Both sets appeared in the same matches as players often changed into a fresh shirt at half time.

You are welcome to contact me with corrections or additions.

England

Romania

England 1 Romania 0

Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara (50,560)
2 June 1970

England's 'slow sodium' pills helped them through the conditions, but they played nervously – except Moore, who looked assured throughout, as though the 'bracelet incident' in Bogota had never happened – and had to contend with a defensive Romanian team who tackled viciously at times. Mocanu's kick on Newton's knee caused him to be substituted, and he also did his best to take out Lee and Wright. Any of those tackles would earn a straight red card, today, but he wasn't even booked. Lee's header hit the bar before Hurst broke the deadlock when he converted a Ball cross in the 65th minute.

Brazil

Czechoslovakia

Brazil 4 Czechoslovakia 1

Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara (52,897)
3 June 1970

Czechoslovakia scored first through Petráš in the 11th minute, showing that Brazil's defensive frailties were still there, but, in a pattern that would be repeated several times in the competition, Brazil simply set out to outscore their opponents. Rivelino equalised after 24 minutes and in the second half Pelé made it 2-1, and Jairzinho then added two more as the Czechs tired in the heat.

Romania

Czechoslovakia

Romania 2 Czechoslovakia 1

Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara (56,818)
6 June 1970

As in their first match, the Czechs got an early goaland again it was Petráš who scored it, this time in the 5th minute. However, as in their first match, they faded badly in the second half, allowing the Romanians to come back at them. Neagu equalised in the 53rd minute and Dumitrache scored the winner in the 75th, from the penalty spot, after Zlocha had fouled Neagu.

(Jon Jones)

Brazil

England

Brazil 1 England 0

Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara (66,834)
7 June 1970

In an epic match, England were narrowly beaten. The match is best remembered for Gordon Banks' extraordinary save when he somehow flicked a powerful downward header from Pelé off the line and over the bar and Moore's risky but excellent tackle on Jairzinho in the penalty area. A single goal by Jairzinho on the hour was all that separated the sides. A Ball effort clipped the bar, Lee brought a brilliant save out of Felix, and Astle wasted a glorious chance to equalise. Everyone thought that the same two teams would be contesting the Final.

Brazil

Romania

Brazil 3 Romania 2

Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara (50,804)
10 June 1970

Romania fell 2-0 behind in the first 22 minutes – Pelé, and Jairzinho, who was keeping a goal-a-game record - but stemmed the tide and pulled one back in the 34th minute through Dumitrache. Pelé made it 3-1 mid way through the second half but with six minutes left, Dembrovschi scored again for Romania to set up an exciting finish. There had been a ridiculous rumour before the game that Brazil might deliberately lose to make England's qualification more difficult, but the Brazilians answered this by playing some of the best football of the tournament.

England

Czechoslovakia

England 1 Czechoslovakia 0

Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara (49,262)
11 June 1970

Alan Clarke scored England's only goal from a penalty five minutes into the second half. Not only was Clarke making his debut, but it was also his wife's birthday, their wedding anniversary, and the anniversary of his transfer from Fulham to Leicester. Bobby Charlton won his 105th cap, equalling Billy Wright's world record. Jackie Charlton and Astle were not capped again. There were loud complaints after the game from television viewers because England's pale blue change strip was indistinguishable from the white of the Czechs on the black and white sets that most viewers still owned.