MEXICO CITY – EDITOR’S NOTE: On June 21, 1970, Brazil won the World Cup in Mexico in thrilling fashion. After defeating Italy 4-1 in the final, Brazil was given the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently in recognition of its third victory. On the anniversary of that triumph, The AP is making its match report and the reaction piece from Sao Paulo available to subscribers.
In the first paragraph of the Mexico City story, Pele is referred to as the “Black Pearl,” a common nickname for him at the time. He was often just referred to as “The King.” And in the 8th paragraph, there is a reference to Jair, who is usually referenced as Jairzinho.
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Pele, the Black Pearl of Latin American soccer, scored one and set up two others Sunday in leading Brazil to a 4-1 victory over Italy for the World Cup soccer championship.
The game, played before a sellout throng of 112,000 in Azteca Stadium, ended in an uproar as fans stormed onto the pitch and into the middle of the action.
Brazilian rooters tore the shirt and shoes off Tostao, one of Brazil’s forwards, and made an unsuccessful attempt to rip off his shorts.
Three second-half goals gave Brazil permanent possession of the Jules Rimet Trophy, which under World Cup rules, is retained by any three-time winner. Brazil had won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962. Italy had won in 1934 and 1938.
Pele, who was carried around the field on the shoulders of his ecstatic admirers, opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he took a pass from Rivelino and fired in a header from six yards out.
But Italy came back to tie before the half when there was a mix-up in the Brazilian defense and Boninsegna raced through alone to kick the ball into an empty net from 18 yards out in the 37th minute. Brazilian goalie Felix had been drawn from the goal.
Brazil took the lead in the 66th minute when Gerson got the ball on the edge of the penalty area, sidestepped an Italian player and booted the ball past goalie Albertosi from 20 yards away.
Brazil clinched the title just four minutes later on a disputed goal by Jair. He took a pass from Pele inside the left position and walked the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the tournament. Italian players claimed Pele was offside, but the referee waved them away.
The final goal came three minutes later when Pele spotted Carlos Alberto racing down the right wing and pushed a perfect pass which Alberto put into the net.
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SAO PAOLO (AP) — Brazil’s largest city exploded into uninhibited euphoria and revelry Sunday as Brazil won its third World Cup soccer championship and permanently retired the Jules Rimet Cup.
Virtually every man, woman and child in this metropolis of more than six million persons joined in the post game celebrations, which began seconds after the final gun of the game in which Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 in Mexico City.
Firecrackers, Roman candles, horns, sirens and every other conceivable noise maker were brought into play.
Brightly decorated cars with Brazil’s green and yellow colors and Brazilian flags rushed onto Sao Paolo’s broad avenues blasting their horns. The cars were loaded with cheering fans, both inside and out.
Flags and banners streamed from apartments, homes and offices.
Samba bands appeared as if from nowhere and began playing as thousands poured into the streets to dance to the frenetic rhythms.
During the game, the huge city had been a ghost town. Only an occasional car passed through the streets and the city buses making their normal runs were almost without passengers.
Confident of victory, the Paulistas had actually been celebrating since Saturday. Throughout Sunday morning, firecrackers had exploded. The occasional cars not decorated with flags and banners were stopped in the streets by gangs of youths who plastered them with green and yellow stripes.
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