In 1970, Mexico hosted what is considered the best World Cup tournament of all time. Mexico has hosted the tournament twice, but this was their first attempt, and what a show they put on. Unlike the modern tournament, which has expanded to 32 teams, only half that number appeared at the 1970 World Cup.
The hosting of the 1970 tournament was spread among 5 stadiums in 5 different cities - Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City, Puebla and Toluca. When Mexico hosted the tournament again 1986, it had expanded to 24 teams,12 stadiums in 9 different cities.
The jewel in Mexico's soccer crown is the incredible Azteca Stadium. Built between 1961-1966, it seats over 110,000 fans and sits at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) feet above sea level. It is renowned for being one of the most difficult stadiums in the world for an opposing team to secure victory. Games are often played at midday to maximize the discomfort of the opposition. That, combined with the rarefied air, makes it a truly daunting place to play at. The usual Mexican hospitality is also thrown out the window for visiting teams. They will make it as uncomfortable as possible for visitors to ensure their team's victory.
Mexico started the tournament slowly by tying the Soviet Union 0-0. Next they beat the very discouraged El Salvadorians 4-0 in a rather dour game. El Salvador literally had to fight a war to get the finals - the Football War of 1969. Fought over 4 days, it was the culmination of political tension between Honduras and El Salvador that erupted during a qualifying game for the tournament. It took the nations 11 years to sign a peace treaty that put the matter to rest. After El Salvador, Mexico played a close game with unheralded, Belgium, and came out 1-0 winners. Things were not looking good for Mexico at this point, as a host nation usually puts on more of a show in the opening round and, at a minimum, wins their group. Mexico was only able to secure second place, which lost them their home field advantage at the Azteca.
The quarter finals were again Mexico's undoing, just like in 1986. Germany was fortunate in 1986 to defeat them on penalty kicks, but in 1970, eventual finalists and two-time World Cup champions, Italy, were in their way. Mexico started brightly, scoring after only 13 minutes. After that though, it was all Italy, who proceeded to ring up 4 unanswered goals. Mexico's tournament was over, but they could take consolation in the fact that Italy went on to the finals and lost by the same margin to Brazil.
Though Mexico hosted the tournament, it really belonged to Brazil, as they put on a clinic of attacking soccer. Brazil went undefeated during the tournament and played the most beautiful soccer that anyone had ever seen. Led by the worlds greatest player, Pele, nothing could stop them as they roared into the finals and reduced the Italian team to a mere shred of their former glory. Brazil was not just Pele, it was a team overflowing with talent, the likes of which has not been seen since.
Perhaps, someday, Mexico will host the World Cup for a third time. Hopefully by then the soccer stadium in Cancun, the most prestigious vacation destination in the Caribbean, will be large enough to host World Cup soccer games. Until then a trip to Cancun to watch the local team Atalane play, would be more than sufficient.
The hosting of the 1970 tournament was spread among 5 stadiums in 5 different cities - Guadalajara, Leon, Mexico City, Puebla and Toluca. When Mexico hosted the tournament again 1986, it had expanded to 24 teams,12 stadiums in 9 different cities.
The jewel in Mexico's soccer crown is the incredible Azteca Stadium. Built between 1961-1966, it seats over 110,000 fans and sits at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) feet above sea level. It is renowned for being one of the most difficult stadiums in the world for an opposing team to secure victory. Games are often played at midday to maximize the discomfort of the opposition. That, combined with the rarefied air, makes it a truly daunting place to play at. The usual Mexican hospitality is also thrown out the window for visiting teams. They will make it as uncomfortable as possible for visitors to ensure their team's victory.
Mexico started the tournament slowly by tying the Soviet Union 0-0. Next they beat the very discouraged El Salvadorians 4-0 in a rather dour game. El Salvador literally had to fight a war to get the finals - the Football War of 1969. Fought over 4 days, it was the culmination of political tension between Honduras and El Salvador that erupted during a qualifying game for the tournament. It took the nations 11 years to sign a peace treaty that put the matter to rest. After El Salvador, Mexico played a close game with unheralded, Belgium, and came out 1-0 winners. Things were not looking good for Mexico at this point, as a host nation usually puts on more of a show in the opening round and, at a minimum, wins their group. Mexico was only able to secure second place, which lost them their home field advantage at the Azteca.
The quarter finals were again Mexico's undoing, just like in 1986. Germany was fortunate in 1986 to defeat them on penalty kicks, but in 1970, eventual finalists and two-time World Cup champions, Italy, were in their way. Mexico started brightly, scoring after only 13 minutes. After that though, it was all Italy, who proceeded to ring up 4 unanswered goals. Mexico's tournament was over, but they could take consolation in the fact that Italy went on to the finals and lost by the same margin to Brazil.
Though Mexico hosted the tournament, it really belonged to Brazil, as they put on a clinic of attacking soccer. Brazil went undefeated during the tournament and played the most beautiful soccer that anyone had ever seen. Led by the worlds greatest player, Pele, nothing could stop them as they roared into the finals and reduced the Italian team to a mere shred of their former glory. Brazil was not just Pele, it was a team overflowing with talent, the likes of which has not been seen since.
Perhaps, someday, Mexico will host the World Cup for a third time. Hopefully by then the soccer stadium in Cancun, the most prestigious vacation destination in the Caribbean, will be large enough to host World Cup soccer games. Until then a trip to Cancun to watch the local team Atalane play, would be more than sufficient.
About the Author:
BookIt.com is an online travel company determined and dedicated to becoming the leader in providing travelers with the most intuitive online booking experience full of relevant information, helpful guides and travel tips. Find great deals on cancun all inclusive at BookIt.com!
