1970 World Cup
For England, the group stages of the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico went exactly the same way as OTL, including THAT save by Gordon Banks. However the quarter final against West Germany would go slightly differently.
There was a huge blow to England when at the last minute goalkeepers Gordon Banks and Peter Bonetti had to withdraw because of a stomach upset. Montezuma’s revenge had never been harsher, robbing England of the best goalkeeper in the world. So Alex Stepney, who had not played a full competitive match since the end of the previous club season, was called in as emergency deputy. England were in command for sixty nine minutes thanks to goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters in stifling conditions. Franz Beckenbauer very nearly pulled the Germans back into the game with a shot that Stepney fumbled but managed to stop from squeezing under his body. Sir Alf Ramsey immediately sent on Colin Bell as substitute for Bobby Charlton, who was being saved for the semi-final. German substitute Jurgen Grabowski was running rings round exhausted left-back Terry Cooper, and Ramsey decided on a second substitution, sending on Norman Hunter for Cooper in a bid to stiffen the defence. With the changes suddenly England were looking disjointed. A freak header by Uwe Seeler sent the ball on an arc over the wrong-footed Stepney in the 89th minute and the Germans went on an all-out attack to try to equalize. However somehow England held on to win the game.
This meant that England would play Italy in the semi-final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Gordon Banks had recovered so he played in goal. Italy led for the majority of the match, after Roberto Boninsegna scored in the 8th minute.
Defender Brian Labone equalized for England during injury time at the end of the second half. The second half ended with the scores deadlocked at 1–1, and at this point the match became a battle of endurance during the two periods of extra time.
Geoff Hurst put England ahead in the 94th minute, but Tarcisio Burgnich tied it back up four minutes later and Luigi Riva put the Italians back in front. Substitute Jeff Astle then scored for England to tie up the score at 3–3. Yet, as television cameras were still replaying Astle's goal, Alan Ball scored the game-winning goal in the 111th minute. Being left unmarked near the penalty area, Ball connected a fine cross made by Newton, clinching the victory for England at 4–3.
The Final was held on Sunday, 21 June, in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This final, between Brazil and England, was the one which many pundits had predicted. It was first time that two former world champions met in a final; England having won the 1966 Final, while Brazil had won in 1958 and 1962.
Brazil struck first, with Pelé heading in a cross by Rivelino at the 18th minute. Geoff Hurst equalized for England after a blunder in the Brazilian defence. In the second half, Brazil's firepower and creativity finally proved too much for an England side that were still tired after their exhausting semi-final against Italy. However England despite this played very well and still created chances for Hurst, Ball and Lee. However they were finally beaten by one of the great world cup goals. A total of eight outfield players from Brazil passed the ball until Captain Carlos Alberto hammered the ball into the corner of the English goal following an inch perfect pass across the English 18 yard box from Pelé, prompted by the intelligent Tostao, who, with his back to the goal, told Pelé that Alberto was steaming in on the right flank. Tostao started the move five yards from the left of the Brazilian 18 yard box, then ran the length of the field to the English box without touching the ball again to tell Pelé to lay it off for Alberto. The players involved in the passes in order were Tostao, Brito, Clodoaldo, Pele, Gerson, defender Clodoaldo beat four English players in his own half (Hurst, Ball, Charlton and Peters) before passing to Rivelino who hit a perfect pass down the wing to Jairzinho. Jairzinho crossed from the wing to the centre of the box to Pele who held the ball up to play a pass for Alberto to smash it home. The only outfield players not involved in the move were Everaldo and Piazza.
Although England continued to strive hard and on several occasions hit the post or the cross bar it was not to be and the game finished at 2-1 to Brazil.
Although the English Press were disappointed that England had not retained the trophy there were no recriminations against the team or Sir Alf Ramsey. It was felt that they had been beaten by a wonder goal and by an excellent team. Also the way that they had played had contributed immensely to what many still consider to be the best ever World Cup Final.