MATCH OF THEIR DAY: The save, the embrace and a game for all time

  • Brazil beat England 1-0 at the Mexico World Cup in Guadalajara back in 1970
  • Match became all about Gordon Banks and Pele, about a header, a dive, the save
  • Greeting between Pele and Bobby Moore left no one doubting mutual respect

As the years passed and recollections slowed, two images remained sharp, in fact they grew in prominence as others faded: the 90 minutes became all about a split-second of action and a post-match embrace.

Brazil 1 England 0 at the Mexico World Cup in 1970 became all about Gordon Banks and Pele, about a header and a dive. The Save.

Then, on the final whistle, there was a shirtless greeting between Pele and Bobby Moore that left no one doubting the mutual respect. 

Brazil's win over England at 1970 World Cup became all about Gordon Banks' save from Pele

Brazil's win over England at 1970 World Cup became all about Gordon Banks' save from Pele

Understandably, in the week since Banks’s death at 81, there has been a torrent of reminiscence about the save.


Yet as Banks often acknowledged, there was more to that hot afternoon in Guadalajara than his moment of acrobatic brilliance to halt Pele.

Pele agreed, saying, for example, that ‘not long after, he (Banks) made another great save, this time from a free-kick’.

That the game should produce such vivid drama was unsurprising. As the teams lined up for a Sunday noon kick-off in the Mexican sun, here were the reigning world champions — England — against the players who would succeed them — Brazil.

Brazil had won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962 and in 1970, with Pele called out of international retirement at 29, were at a peak.

But England were peaking too. If 1966 is considered England’s pinnacle, in terms of talent some thought otherwise. ‘The squad tasked with retaining the World Cup for England was, to my mind, stronger than the one that had won it in 1966,’ said Banks. ‘We had greater quality in depth.’

As the years passed, two images remained sharp including that split-second of action

As the years passed, two images remained sharp including that split-second of action

MATCH FACTS 

GROUP C, JUNE 7, JALISCO STADIUM, GUADALAJARA

BRAZIL 1 ENGLAND 0

BRAZIL: Felix; Carlos Alberto, Brito, Wilson Piazza, Everaldo; Jairzinho, Clodoaldo, Paulo Cesar, Rivelino; Tostao (Roberto 68min), Pele. Scorer: Jairzinho 60.

Manager: Mario Zagallo.

ENGLAND: Banks; Wright, Labone, Moore, Cooper; Ball, Mullery, Charlton (Bell 64), Peters; Lee (Astle 64), Hurst. Booked: Lee.

Manager: Alf Ramsey.

Referee: Abraham Klein (Israel).

Attendance: 66,843.

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To many, retaining the trophy in Mexico would have been a greater achievement than winning it at home in ’66, when an injured Pele departed early.

Four years later England were in a fierce group — Brazil, Czechoslovakia and Romania. The Czechs had been runners-up in 1962 to Brazil and would be European champions in 1976. In their opening game in Mexico, Czechoslovakia went 1-0 up against Brazil.

Via Rivelino, Pele and Jairzinho, Brazil replied with four goals. It was the game when Pele had a shot from inside his own half and nearly scored.

England began with a 1-0 win over Romania, Geoff Hurst with the goal, picking up from the 1966 final. But England were unconvincing champions. ‘We failed to sparkle,’ Banks said.

Five days later came Brazil. England were kept awake most of the night by pro-Brazil Mexicans outside the hotel. Some good news was that Gerson was injured, though when Brazil replaced him with Paulo Cesar, Alan Mullery is said to have commented: ‘That’s like replacing a Jaguar with a Mercedes.’

The second image was of a post-match embrace between Pele (left) and Bobby Moore

The second image was of a post-match embrace between Pele (left) and Bobby Moore

Brazil, though, were conscious of England’s strengths. ‘In Moore, Bobby Charlton and Gordon Banks (England had) three players who would have walked into pretty much any Brazil side,’ was Pele’s opinion.

In Guadalajara, manager Alf Ramsey had six of the England players who had started the ’66 final and they eased themselves into the game. ‘Our passing was as good as theirs,’ Banks said of a possession-based style.

England were regarded to have shaded the first half — Francis Lee had a point-blank header saved by Felix.

But it was 0-0 at the break because of Banks. His save, that save, came 10 minutes in. 

Pele recalled it like this: ‘Jairzinho had swept the English full back, Terry Cooper, aside and delivered a perfect cross into the box. Jumping powerfully I met the ball cleanly and headed it down just inside the post. It felt like a textbook header and as I watched the ball spin towards the net I knew it was a goal. 

In the week since Banks’s death at 81, there has been a torrent of reminiscence about the save

In the week since Banks’s death at 81, there has been a torrent of reminiscence about the save

'But then, from nowhere — from the other post, in fact, which amounted to the same thing — Banks flung himself towards the ball, managing in an effort of extraordinary agility to scoop it up, out and over the bar. It was a phenomenal save, the save of that tournament and of most other tournaments you could care to mention.’

When England re-emerged from the interval, they were left waiting seven minutes by the Brazilians. Banks sought shade under the crossbar, the ice he had brought out melted much quicker than he expected.

On the hour, Tostao floated a cross to Pele, who teed up Jairzinho with a typically perfect pass. Jairzinho smacked the ball beyond Banks.

Ultimately one goal separated two champion teams. Moore, whose exquisitely-timed tackle on Jairzinho has gone down in folklore, and Pele embraced in a fitting tribute caught on camera forever.

And then people started talking about Gordon Banks’s save. And we have never stopped.

 

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