CollyLogic: Why the World Cup matters

Why the World Cup matters

6th June 2006

This video of the greatest team goal ever scored explains the importance of football. The final goal in Brazil’s 4-1 demolition of Italy in the 1970 World Cup final combined sublime skill with telepathic teamwork in a move that symbolises the wonder of the best team that ever was.
Put simply, at the end of a seemingly infinite number of dribbles and passes that made the Italians look ridiculous, Pele receives the ball just outside the penalty area. Calmly - and without looking up, he lays the ball off into space. There is nobody there. Nobody. You think the grace and beauty is going to end with nothing. And then…

Simon Collison published this on 06/06/06, at 9:54 PM

Comments

Playground/beach/street stuff but transferred to the highest level - thats the difference. The 1982 team of greats tried to play like this all the time, but forgot the basics of defence.

Now, then, how is that metatarsal?

07/06 at 05:48 from Simon Clayson

For a moment I thought I was watching my beloved Norwich City. Let’s hope that ex-Canary Peter Crouch can emulate Pele this year. I don’t think he will have quite the same grace though! Great clip!

07/06 at 07:28 from George

It was pretty gorgeous done, yet I think the world cup is a bit overrated… No chance to miss it no matter what you are looking for… Wich can be a bit disturbing… but at least I’m stupid enough to follow a bunch of englishmen’s blogs

07/06 at 11:59 from Alexander Berglund

It will be fun to see what the Brazil’s team can accomplice this World Cup.

07/06 at 12:07 from G.Lindqvist

I certainly can’t dribble like that but I do love the sports. This will be a great year for soccer fans all around the world.

07/06 at 13:42 from Jorge Quinteros

Simon, I whole heartedly agree, this clip symbolises the beauty of the game completely, emphasising individual skill, within the context of the team. Haven�t seen that goal for ages either, nice one.

08/06 at 12:04 from Paul B

I can’t stop watching the clip. It’s so beautiful. Glad y’all agree.

George: Norwich City? Ha-ha. In yer dreams. How’s Psychedelia Smith, by the way?

Alexander: You say: “I think the world cup is a bit overrated”. I say, “You are mad”.

Everyone: ROONEY IS FIT TO PLAY IN THE WORLD CUP! Might as well engrave the trophy now…

08/06 at 14:04 from Simon Collison

Ah yes Brazils team of ‘70 were simply excellent.. Although i have to say england should have won the 70 world cup and not ‘66.. but heh thats why yah gotta love footbal :D
COME ON ENGLAND

08/06 at 15:39 from Dave

That goal is indeed a real classic. I’m hoping that this year will see some more, come on Engerlaaand!

08/06 at 18:09 from Malarkey

Back in the late 70’s to mid-80’s I got to play with a local soccer club. [Not “club” in the international sense—it was mostly a continual pick-up game but we did have uniforms and played teams from other communities. We also helped get soccer going in local youth leagues and high school.] This clip brings back a lot of good feelings that I had when I discovered how much fun it was to play “the other football.” When things get slow at work I watch it a couple of times to get my blood moving again. Thanks very much for sharing.

09/06 at 16:11 from Steve

A great goal indeed!

10/06 at 15:11 from Brutal

But...why does it matter?

11/06 at 08:51 from paul haine

I still like the Bergkamp one against Argentina; the drama, the skill - it was just pure Bergkamp!!!!

But yes, I think looking at the goals already this year and the way the balls move around Brazil will conjure up some beauties!!!

12/06 at 13:23 from Ross Bruniges

I still like this one. Just pure Maradona

16/06 at 09:54 from Nano

How come this is the “best goal ever scored”?? Haven’t you seen the Maradona’s goal to the English??

Come on people ... you know that one is the best but hurts

22/06 at 05:17 from Bruno

Maradona has indeed some pretty goals, but is great individual quality can never be as beautifull as the tactic and gameplay as a team.

22/06 at 09:39 from zoom

Steve: Hey, thank you for sharing. You just made me feel like I’m worthwhile!

Paul: The World Cup matters because it provides joyful, incomparably amazing moments like the Brazil goal! It is a festival of football, full of invention, excitement, speculation, despair - human emotion.

Ross: Yes, teh Bergkamp goal was special. What a shame he couldn’t fly to any far away tournaments.

Bruno/Nano: Hey, I linked to the Cambiasso goal in my Logical Links bar the other day - isn’t that enough for you crazy Argentinians? Maradona, Maradona - same old story, bla, bla…

22/06 at 17:09 from Simon Collison

Arghhhh ..... we’re out! Its bad enough to lose but my main concern is that the generally uninspired performance by the U.S. team doesn’t help the sport over here, especially when it has to compete with the NFL, basketball, baseball, and hockey for top athletes. On the positive side, if we can’t advance then its good to see a team like Ghana in their first World Cup surprise a lot of people and move on.

Congratulations and best wishes to all whose teams made it to the next round!

(Maybe in 2010 ..... much too far away!)

23/06 at 02:24 from Steve

Steve: No Yank-bashing from me. I think you guys were strong at times, especially against Italy when you were getting elbowed and roughed-up generally. Showed a great resolve in that game. The team wasn’t good enough this year, but some great players, and nothing to be ashamed of.

I agree that sadly this won’t help raise football’s profile in the US, but then again, reaching the quarter finals in 2002 didn’t help really either.

Anyway, nice comment - good man for taking it well and wishing everyone else luck. Good sport…

23/06 at 11:25 from Simon Collison

Colly:

Maradona, Maradona - same old story, bla, bla�

So, “Pel� and Brazil in the 70s, Pel� and Brazil in the 70s” isn’t the same old story too?
bla, bla?

Anyway, thanks for linking to Cuchu’s goal, it was indeed sweet teamwork (some sources reported like 24 passes in less than 1 minute, I haven’t counted them honestly), although I’d love to see that happening again agaisnt a stronger opponent (a grammar question: is “again against” cacophonic in english?)

On the other hand, I’m sorry about Owen’s injury, but well, in a positive outlook, It would be a great chance for Rooney to display all his power as a top tier striker (we have experienced that with Pumpido’s injury at Italy ‘90 which allowed Goycoechea to shine in those now memorable penalty definitions.

Well, best luck for the Brits in Round 16 and I loved the hat in your profile pic!

Cheers,

23/06 at 22:19 from Nano

Your love of the game makes me happy.

26/06 at 04:03 from Raj

Hi there!

[�] A very accosting layout and a interesting discussion topic, do you provide any Web-based services to universities or students. [�]

Greetings Milos

26/06 at 21:26 from Milos

Note that comments are disabled 30 days after articles are published, or sooner if spammers target a particular post. Sorry...