1970 World Cup Mexico

The qualification tournament for the 1970 World Cup caused a brief War between Honduras and El Salvador.

The format of 16 teams in four groups remained the same.  The Brazilian winger Jairzinho became the only player ever to score in all six games played by the Brazilian team in the World Cup.  However, the top scorer was  West Germany's Gerd Müller, with 10 goals including a hat-trick in two consecutive games.

Probably the most memorable match of the tournament, and a match that many people still regard as one of the best games in any World Cup, was the Italian 4-3 victory after extra time over West Germany in the semi-final.  Italy led by 1-0 until the 90th minute when Karl-Heinz Schnellinger scored the equaliser during injury time. Then, during extra time, the lead changed from a German 2-1 to an Italian 3-2, when Gerd Müller equalized again before Gianni Rivera scored the winning goal in the 111th minute.

Because this was the third time Brazil won the trophy (following 1958 and 1962), they were entitled to permanently keep the Jules Rimet trophy.  Mario Zagallo, the Brazilian coach, became the first footballer to become World champion as player (1958, 1962) and coach.  It was also the third and final World Cup victory for Pelé.

Top Scorer

10 Goals - Gerd Müller (West Germany)

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