The Brazil team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico were one of -- if not THE -- greatest sides to have ever clinched football's grandest prize.
They crushed Italy 4-1 in the final in front of a pro-Brazil crowd at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico in a glittering show of attacking football.
It was a victory of the scintillating flair of these South American artists over the 'dark ways' of football that had dominated the 1960s, and an ultra-defensive Italian side who had sought to nullify their opponents' offensive class.
However, while Brazil may have romped to the title in Mexico City -- thanks to goals from Jairzinho, Gerson, Carlos Alberto and Pelé -- it was a failed effort in their semi-final victory over Uruguay that sticks in the memory.
Pelé had long wanted to score the 'perfect goal', and he nearly did just that in the last-four encounter.
This was a clash of South American styles, with Brazil's free-flowing attractive style pitted against the cynical, gritty approach of Uruguay.
In the face of their opponents' relentless spoiling and negativity, Pelé had the courage to attempt an unthinkable goal.
Picking up a fine through-ball from Tostao as Brazil countered, he found himself up against goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, who had squared up to the superstar frontman.
Pelé reached the ball first, but feigned going to shoot, only to pull back and allow the ball to pass across the goalkeeper's body to Mazurkiewicz's left.
The forward, meanwhile, ran to the stopper's right and collected the ball as it ran into his path. He pivoted and fired towards goal, only to watch his effort just float wide of the far post.
It was a deflating moment, but one that will live forever as an iconic miss and arguably the greatest goal that never was.
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