1970 World Cup Solo Replay

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6th June 1970 - Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla - Group B - Uruguay v Italy

Uruguay - Ref 10
Italy - Ref 166

A decent crowd of just under 30,000 turned out in the city of Puebla to watch a lively start between two teams who would have high hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.


Uruguay v Italy Coin Toss.jpg


They didn't have a long time to wait for a goal, when a Uruguay corner fell at the feet of Mario Bertini in his own penalty area. The Inter midfielder quickly found Luigi Riva breaking upfield, who in turn slipped a through ball aimed at Mazzola, however all angles seemed to be blocked by the Uruguayan defence, only for Roberto Boninsegna to curl beautifully around the back and caress the ball into a shooting position. Peñarol's Roberto Matosas thought he would swerve goal side of the ball to block the shot, but instead fouled the ball and was sent back by the Ref, leaving Boninsegna the simplest of chances to stroke the ball past Mazurkiewicz and into the corner for 1-0.


Boninsegna Strokes the Ball Home to Put Italy One-Nil Up.jpg


The South Americans were not behind for long. Straight from the restart, first Ildo Maneiro and then ,decisively, Ruben Bareño negated Italy's blocking flicks by swerving expertly around them. When Italy captain Facchetti failed to block a third time, Bareño blasted high into the net past Albertosi.


Bareño Blasts High into the Net past Albertosi.jpg


All square at the half. Whatever Uruguay coach Juan Hohberg said to his players in the dressing room, it had the desired effect. The South Americans laid siege to Italy's goal. Indeed, in the closing stages they had five corners in a row and from the last of these, Julio Cortes blasted home from distance to snatch a 2-1 victory.


Julio Cortes Fires Home from Distance to Snatch a 2-1 victory.jpg

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6th June 1970 - Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara - Group C - Romania v Czechoslovakia

Romania - Classic HW Ref 160
Czechoslovakia - Delacoste Ref 656.522 (Marseille)

World Cup fever was beginning to take a grip of Guadalajara with the attendance growing game by game. This time 56,818 saw a truly horrible goal put the Czechs one-nil up.

A speculative early shot from Josef Jurkanin took both man & ball (ball first of course) and this bamboozled Romanian keeper Adamache and the ball rolled agonisingly over the line before he could readjust.

Josef Jurkanin Cannot Believe His Luck As He Puts the Czechs One-Nil Up.jpg (149.66 KiB) Viewed 188 times

But there was no fluke about Romania's equaliser a minute later. A beautifully crafted goal from the restart, with Florea Dumitrache curling wonderfully onto the ball and dispatching a powerful shot past Bratislava keeper Vencel.

Florea Dumitrache Makes it 1-1.jpg (115.02 KiB) Viewed 188 times

Game on. The Czechs hit back immediately. Good, accurate passing from the restart and some lax positional play from the Romanian defence gave Karol Jokl a long range shooting chance which canoned in via Lupescu and keeper Adamache.

Karol Jokl Makes It 2-1 to the Czechs.jpg (174.45 KiB) Viewed 188 times

This match was becoming like a game of basketball. The Czechs incresed their lead on the stroke of half-time when a slick pass from Andrej Kvašnák to Bohumil Veselý, and more suicidal Romanian defending, gave the Sparta Praha midfielder an invitation to shoot and he lashed home to make it 3-1 before the break.

Bohumil Veselý Fires In to Make it 3-1.jpg (105.74 KiB) Viewed 188 times

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Romania v Czechoslovakia Continued...

In the 2nd half the Romanians, to their credit, did not panic and continued to play a patient passing game when in possession. They got their reward 2 minutes from time with a lovely move from defence to attack involving 5 or 6 players, culminating in a clinically accurate finish by Dinamo Bucharest's Mircea Lucescu, who fired in off Alexander Vencel's left hand post to set up a grandstand finish.

Mircea Lucescu Takes Aim.jpg (120.8 KiB) Viewed 188 times

Mircea Lucescu Fires In Off the Post and In to Make It 3-2.jpg (111.63 KiB) Viewed 188 times

The Czechs, understandably, tried to play keep-ball from the restart whilst the Romanians pressed aggressively in an effort to win the ball back, but the Czechs worked themselves an opportunity and thought they had put the game to bed when Adamache got a hand to Jurkanin's shot and the balled rolled towards the line. Adamache made a desperate clearance and the Czechs celebrated but, after speaking to the linesman, the Ref waved away their claims.

Jurkanin's Shot Stops on the Line Before Adamache Clears.jpg (165.13 KiB) Viewed 188 times

Goal-line controversy, just as in 1966. If only we could have some technology to resolve these disputes! That turned out to be the last drama of a superbly entertaining game of skillful, attacking football.

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6th June 1970 - Estadio Nou Camp, León - Group D - Peru v Morocco

Peru - Classic HW Ref 159 (World Cup Named Box)
Morocco - Custom Painted Classic HW

Peru v Morocco Coin Toss.jpg (118.45 KiB) Viewed 127 times

The Moroccans continued to impress at this tournament, pinning the Peruvians back in their half almost from the first whistle. They had their reward 4 minutes from the half when, on their 3rd successive corner, Mohammed Mahroufi received the ball deep and slipped it to Mohammed El Filali who crashed in an unstoppable shot, despite the athletic dive of Peruvian keeper, Luis Rubinos

Mohammed El Filali Crashes in an Unstoppable Shot to Make it 1-0.jpg (122.93 KiB) Viewed 127 times

But Peru hit back within seconds, with the simplest of goals. Having received the ball straight from the kick-off, Hugo Sotil immediately played the ball forward. Morocco showed their defensive naivety in failing to cover and the Deportivo Municipal striker careered in from the half-way line to smash the ball past Allal Ben Kassou for the equaliser.

Hugo Sotil Scores the Simplest of Equalisers for Peru.jpg (118.65 KiB) Viewed 127 times

Morocco came close to retaking the lead in the last attack before half-time. A nice move ended with Mohammed Houmane Jarir feeding Maouhoub Ghazouani. Just as he did for the first goal Nicolas Fuentes was confident he had covered off the shooting angle but the FAR Rabat forward crashed a shot off Rubinos's right hand post, and it remained 1-1 at the interval.

Maouhoub Ghazouani Hits the Post for Morocco.jpg (108.73 KiB) Viewed 127 times

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Peru v Morocco (Continued)...


Peru led for the first time in the game 3 minutes after the restart on what was clearly a day for shooting on sight. This time it was the Moroccans who thought they had all angles covered but a surprise shot from distance by Teofilio Cubillas seemed to go through them like they weren't there.

Teofilio Cubillas Surprises the Moroccan Defence with a Shot from Distance to Make it 2-1.jpg (105.36 KiB) Viewed 127 times

Peru made it 3-1 minutes later. The ball was played too wide for Pedro Gonzalez but he curled beautifully onto the ball to set up a long distance shot from a narrow angle. He had clearly 'read the memo' and leathered it first time between keeper and post.

Pedro Gonzalez Shoots on Sight to Make it 3-1 to Peru.jpg (96.14 KiB) Viewed 127 times

And it was 'game over' a minute from time when Ramon Mifflin stole the ball after a Moroccan attack broke down and played a superb through ball to Pedro Leon who lashed past Ben Kassou for 4-1. Having led for the second game running, Morocco were beaten again.

Perdo Leon and his Team Mates Wheel Away in Celbration after Sealing a 4-1 Win for Peru.jpg (121.58 KiB) Viewed 127 times

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7th June 1970 - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City - Group A - Mexico v El Salvador

Mexico: Classic HW Ref 157 Reverse Bases (World Cup Named Box)
El Salvador: Classic HW Ref 18


It seems like a long time since the hosts opened the tournament in such blistering fashion here in the Azteca and again, another 100,000+ crowd filled the stadium to see them take on El Salvador, a team that secured their spot at the Finals by beating Honduras in a 1969 Playoff; the infamous Guerra del Fútbol (The Football War).

Mexico v El Salvador Coin Toss.jpg (107.92 KiB) Viewed 91 times

Just as in '69, the shooting started early and, just as in '69, the Salvdorians shot first, with Jorge Vasquez and Ernesto Aparicio going close. But it was Mexico who scored first with a wonderful move. Ganzalez found Padillla from a corner and he pushed the ball out of his feet to shoot, however his route to goal was quickly blocked. In a risky move that could have ceded possesion Gonzalez swerved skillfully in from wide and knocked the ball free to Javier Valdivia. This opened up an angle and the Deportivo Guadalajara striker squeezed his shot inside Magana's right hand post to give Mexico the lead

Valdivia Squeezes the Ball Home to Make It 1-0 to Mexico.jpg (125.6 KiB) Viewed 91 times

But the lead lasted under a minute as, straight from the kick-off, El Salvador shocked the Azteca into silence. After Mario Perez had moved to block the potential shot, Salvador Cabezas had no more than a postage stamp to aim at.

Salvador Cabezas Doesn't Have Much to Aim At.jpg (107.65 KiB) Viewed 91 times

But his aim was true, as he struck a shot from 25 yards which went in off the base of Calderon's right hand post. All square at half time.

Cabezas Finds the Corner for 1-1.jpg (113.51 KiB) Viewed 91 times

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Mexico v El Salvador (Continued)...


Mexico were slightly fortunate to re-take the lead mid-way through the 2nd half when a flowing move up the left ended with some lovely interchanges between Valdivia and Javier Fragoso and when the América forward tried his luck from distance the shot was too hot for Magana to handle.

2-1 Mexico - Magana Can't Hold Fragoso's Shot from Distance.jpg (113.87 KiB) Viewed 91 times

Roared on by fervent home support, Mexico were now on fire and created chances at will. They should have killed the game late on when Fragoso struck a post. Then, El Salvador earned a late corner, which seemed to have drifted too deep for Juan Martinez. His first touch was decent but still left him no real angle for a shot. No one in the Azteca today will be able to say how he managed to shoot across Calderon and find the inside of the post to spark wild celebrations amongst the Salvadorans and silence the Azteca for the second and last time today

Juan Martinez Equalises from an Impossible Angle.jpg (109.4 KiB) Viewed 91 times

Another classic here ends 2-2!

Martinez's Team Mates Pile On After Their Last Gast Equaliser.jpg (171.63 KiB) Viewed 91 times

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7th June 1970 - Estadio Luis Dosal, Toluca - Group B - Israel v Sweden

Israel: Classic HW Ref 5 Reverse Bases
Sweden: Classic HW Ref 162

Israel v Sweden Coin Toss.jpg (109.02 KiB) Viewed 91 times

A first half low on quality, especially in the final ball, finally came to life just before the interval when Israel's Spiegel squared across the edge of the box to Faygenbaum who again squared to the captain Mordechai Spiegler who lifted his shot over the challenge of defender Axelsson and over the dive of Larsson to give the Israelis a precious half-time lead.

Mordechai Spiegler Lifts A Shot Over Axelsson and Keeper Larsson to Give Israel the Lead.jpg (127.35 KiB) Viewed 91 times

In the 2nd half a stunning angled through ball inside the full back by Bo Larsson set up Turesson who shot expertly between defender & keeper to level the scores.

Turesson Shoots Through the Gap to Level the Scores.jpg (102.48 KiB) Viewed 91 times

The poor quality of play continued on both sides with countless passes going straight out for throw-ins & goal-kicks, or simply straight to the opposition.

Finally the Swedes showed their quality a minute from time when, after a 15-pass move from defence to attack, the ball was finally squared to Ove Kindvall, the player who scored Feyenoord's winner against Celtic in the European Cup Final only a few weeks ago, and he hit an unerring shot into the corner to give Sweden a lead they never lost.

Ove Kindvall Caps a Fine Swedish Move by Scoring the Winner.jpg (119.81 KiB) Viewed 91 times

A game that won't live long in the memory but the Swedes won't care as they registered their first points of the tournament.

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7th June 1970 - Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara - Group C - Brazil v England


Brazil - Classic HW Ref 50
England - Classic HW Ref 21


Nearly 67000 people packed inside the Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara to witness this game between two of the pre-tournament favourites.

Brazil v England Coin Toss.jpg (147.84 KiB) Viewed 65 times

The World Cup holders needed to show an improvement after a disappointing draw in their opening game and they did just that by spending the majority of the 1st Period camped out in Brazil's half, but some disciplined defending by the South Americans kept them out.

In contrast to England's opener, this game was full of quality passing and when Brazil did have the ball they moved it well and looked dangerous on the break. Nevertheless half time arrived with the game somehow scoreless.


England began the second half on the front foot, just as they had the first, but Brazil were able to break away down their right as Jairzinho threaded a pass up to Tostao. His attempted swerve & control came to nothing and Terry Cooper had the chance to clear but made an uncharacteristic mis-kick.

Terry Cooper Mis-Kicks and Tostao Senses an Opportunity.jpg (153.76 KiB) Viewed 65 times

Still, there appeared to be little danger until Tostao pounced and let fly with a shot that surprised Banks and beat the Stoke City keeper at his near post.

Tostao Surprises Gordon Banks and Beats Him at his Near Post.jpg (125.86 KiB) Viewed 65 times

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Brazil v England (Continued)...


Having dominated possession, England were behind and had it all to do.

Minutes later they had their just rewards when Francis Lee slipped the ball through to Alan Ball on the right and he passed incisively inside to Charlton on the underlap and he calmly slotted past keeper Felix for the equaliser.

Bobby Charlton Slots the Equaliser Calmly Past Felix.jpg (143.83 KiB) Viewed 65 times

And with just two minutes on the clock England won a corner on the left which was taken by Peters. He expertly played the corner deep to Francis Lee.

Francis Lee Receives an Outswinging Corner from Peters.jpg (145.62 KiB) Viewed 65 times

Almost without looking up, Lee hit a vicious, swerving, rising shot into the top corner that left Felix clawing at thin air.

Francis Lee Hits a Swerving Rising Shot into the Top Corner to Give England the Lead.jpg (137.66 KiB) Viewed 65 times

Brazil went all out for an equaliser in the closing minutes but England saw it through to claim their first win of the tournament.

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7th June 1970 - Estadio Nou Camp, León - Group D - West Germany v Bulgaria

West Germany - Classic HW Ref 156
Bulgaria - Classic HW Custom Painted Change Kit

West Germany v Bulgaria Coin Toss.jpg (131.35 KiB) Viewed 65 times

The West Germans started confidently but consistently failed to trouble the Bulgarian keeper Simeonov, and they paid the price when the Eastern Europeans launched a rare attack and, aided by some questionable defending, Dimitar Marachliev was allowed to roll the ball into the corner of the net for 1-0.

Dimitar Marachliev Rolls the Ball into the Corner of the Net and Bulgaria Lead 1-0.jpg (185.11 KiB) Viewed 65 times

Undeterred, the West Germans pushed for the equaliser and, after a quick throw-in on the stroke of half time, set up a chance for Reinhard Libuda and he beat Simeonov at his near post to square things up at the break.

Reinhard Libuda Beats Simeonov at his Near Post to Make it 1-1.jpg (123.78 KiB) Viewed 65 times

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West Germany v Bulgaria (Continued)...


In the second half West Germany laid siege to the Bulgarian goal and Simeonov pulled off an incredible save from Gerd Müller.

But from the resulting corner the West Germans probed relentlessly for an opening as the Bulgarians frantically mounted a rear guard action, but the pressure finally told when Uwe Seeler freed up Hannes Löhr in the penalty area.

Uwe Seeler Tees Up Hannes Löhr for a Shooting Opportunity.jpg (232.22 KiB) Viewed 65 times

From a difficult angle he cut the ball back across the keeper and into the far corner for the winner.

Hannes Löhr Fires Back Across the Keeper and into the Far Corner for the Winner.jpg (152.52 KiB) Viewed 65 times

The West Germans had made hard work of their first two games against unfancied opposition but were through to the knockout stages.

Despite Being Behind in Both Their Games the West Germans are Through to the Knockout Stages.jpg (191.7 KiB) Viewed 65 times

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Personal Note:

The Francis Lee winner for England against Brazil is probably the best Subbuteo goal I've ever scored.

Whilst I haven't quite yet figured out why I'm managing to get 'air' on my shots, I seem to be able to do it more often when I actually mean to do it (if that makes sense).

This one I even managed to get some 'swazz' on it , by which I mean, I could see the ball was spinning sideways as well as forwards / backwards

Again, not sure how I did it but, with the markings on these World Cup replica balls, I could see it clearly and it felt brilliant.

Anyways, just thought I'd share. On with the tournament...

[Supergluedlegs]

Brilliant, really enjoying this tournament!

[Sickage Flickage]

Brilliant, really enjoying this tournament!

Ah thanks Supergluedlegs. Much appreciated.

I'm trying to step up the pace of the games now, as this one is taking much longer than the 1966 tournament!

I blame the Bulgarians!

Only joking! I own a ski apartment in Bulgaria and have a few Bulgarian friends. They can appear a bit cold at first but once you get past that they are really warm people. Also quite quirky and very funny, with a wicked sense of humour!

Anyway, I've been a busy boy again today so two more match reports incoming...