The Beautiful Game: Brazil's 1970 World Cup Team

Let's take a trip back in time—specifically, to the scorching heat of Mexico in 1970. Forget your VAR debates and modern tactics for a second. We're talking about pure football magic because that's what Brazil's legendary squad delivered when they conquered their third FIFA World Cup and snagged the iconic Jules Rimet Trophy for good!

This wasn't just a tournament win; it was a symphony of skill that redefined "The Beautiful Game."

Five Number 10s and a Genius Coach

Imagine a team overflowing with creative midfielders, where even the reserves were superstars. That was the 1970 Seleção. Coach Mário Zagallo (who had to step in just before the tournament) pulled off a tactical masterstroke. He found a way to play with five incredible playmakers—the legendary "Five Number 10s": Pelé, Gérson, Rivellino, Tostão, and Jairzinho. On paper, it sounded crazy; on the pitch, it was poetry in motion.

The Unstoppable Campaign

Brazil went undefeated, winning all six games and scoring a whopping 19 goals! They faced serious competition, including the reigning champions. If you include the World Cup qualifiers, they won all 12 games played and scored 42 goals in total. This is incredible and will probably remain unmatched in the history of football.

Phase	Opponent	Result	Brazilian scorers
Group Stage	Czech Republic	4-1	Rivelino, Pelé, Jairzinho (2)
Group Stage	England	1-0	Jairzinho
Group Stage	Romania	3-2	Pelé (2), Jairzinho
Quarter-Final	Peru	4-2	Tostão (2), Rivellino, Jairzinho
Semi-Final	Uruguay	3-1	Clodoaldo, Jairzinho, Rivellino
THE FINAL	Italy	4-1	Pelé, Gérson, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto

Jairzinho: The Hurricane

Forget who won the Golden Boot (that was Germany's Müller). The real story was Jairzinho. This powerhouse winger did something no one has done before or since: he scored a goal in EVERY SINGLE GAME of the World Cup! A true, unstoppable force.

Iconic Moments That Live Forever

The 1970 World Cup was the first to be broadcast in color, which was perfect because this Brazilian team gave us moments of vivid, unforgettable brilliance:

• The "Save of the Century": Against England, Pelé produced a perfect, bullet header, but English keeper Gordon Banks somehow clawed it away. An unbelievable stop that instantly became legend.

• The Magic Touch: In the semi-final against Uruguay, Pelé pulled off a dummy so audacious, he never even touched the ball! He let it run past him and the charging goalkeeper (Mazurkiewicz) before spinning and getting a shot off. Pure genius.

• The Masterpiece Goal: The final against Italy was sealed with arguably the greatest team goal ever scored. After a stunning eight-pass move involving almost the whole team, Captain Carlos Alberto Torres sprinted into the box and absolutely hammered the ball into the net. It's the ultimate example of collective brilliance, a fitting exclamation point to their dominance.

Why They Are Still the GOAT

The 4-1 thrashing of a formidable Italian side in the final was a technical massacre. The world's press was unanimous: This was the most beautiful football ever seen. The blend of sublime individual technique and a revolutionary offensive system secured their place in history.

Fifty-plus years later, the debate about the greatest football team of all time always comes back to one answer: Brazil 1970. They didn't just win; they left a legacy of joy and art that every fan of the sport can appreciate.

What do you think? Is Brazil 1970 the best team ever, or is there another contender? Let us know in the comments!