ENGLAND went into the tournament in Mexico as World Cup holders — but it was Pele and the boys from Brazil who would emerge triumphant. The two teams met in a group match that will live long in the memory. Bobby Moore made a succession of perfectly-timed tackles, keeper Gordon Banks denied Pele with the save of the century and Jeff Astle missed a sitter that would have earned the Three Lions a point.
In the end, a 60th-minute strike from Jairzinho — who would go on to score in every match in the tournament — gave Brazil victory but pundits predicted the teams would meet again in the final.
Sadly, it was not to be. After qualifying second in Group C courtesy of 1-0 wins over Romania and Czechoslovakia, England began three long-standing traditions — choking in quarter-finals, losing to the Germans and finding a scapegoat to blame afterwards.
Goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters gave them a 2-0 lead but Franz Beckenbauer and Uwe Seeler drew West Germany level before Gerd Muller grabbed a winner in extra-time.
Keeper Peter Bonetti — standing in for the injured Gordon Banks — got most of the blame, while boss Alf Ramsey's decision to substitute Bobby Charlton with 20 minutes left was also heavily criticised.
West Germany went on to meet Italy in a thrilling semi-final. A Roberto Boninsegna goal looked like sending Italy through until Karl-Heinz Schnellinger snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
Five more goals were scored in extra-time, with Muller's brace not enough to prevent a 4-3 victory for Italy.
Brazil, meanwhile, had cruised past Peru 4-2 in the quarter-finals and beat Uruguay 3-1 in the last four to set up a final clash with Italy.
Pele rose like a salmon to head Brazil into an early lead in Mexico City only for Boninsegna to equalise for the Azzurri before the break.
But second-half goals from Gerson, Jairzinho and — rounding off a superb passing move — Carlos Alberto saw Brazil claim their third World Cup.
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