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What if they met? Brazil, Netherlands national teams in the early 1970s
What if?
It's a question so often posed in the realm of sports. What if a certain player wasn't suspended, traded or hurt? What if a controversial call went another way? What if a coach had called a different play? What if a certain matchup had occurred at a different time?
That last question, above the others, has piqued our interest. In light of Floyd Mayweather finally facing Manny Pacquiao this Saturday in Las Vegas, years after both boxing greats were widely considered to be at their absolute best, it got us wondering: What if two soccer titans of their era who never got the chance to meet at their peaks actually did? All week in the build-up to Mayweather-Pacquiao, Planet Fútbol will take a historical deep dive into some of the greatest teams in soccer history, why they ultimately never got the chance to meet their equals and what might have happened if they had.
We started with the Uruguay and Austria national teams of the early 1930s and moved to Argentine power River Plate's La Máquina and Il Grande Torino of the 1940s.
Next up: Brazil and the Netherlands in the early 1970s.
BRAZIL
“Those last minutes,” Hugh McIlvanney wrote in his match report of the 1970 World Cup final, “contained a distillation of their football, its beauty and élan and almost undiluted joy. Other teams thrill us and make us respect them. The Brazilians at their finest gave us pleasure so natural and deep as to be a vivid physical experience … the qualities that make football the most graceful and electric and moving of team sports were being laid before us. Brazil are proud of their own unique abilities but it was not hard to believe they were anxious to say something about the game as well as themselves. You cannot be the best in the world at a game without loving it and all of us who sat, flushed with excitement, in the stands of the Azteca sensed that we were seeing some kind of tribute.”
For many, Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Italy to seal its third World Cup represents the highest point football has ever reached. So easy was their style, so fluid, that the myth has grown up that the players just sort of fell together. Rather Brazil’s build-up was fraught and the lineup that eventually romped through the tournament was the suggestion of a group of senior players.
Gérson was an elegant, deep-lying playmaker. He needed protection, so Clodoaldo operated alongside him, a more physical, defensive presence–he may be best remembered for his part in Brazil’s final goal in the final, dribbling nonchalantly through three Italians in his own half, but that was uncharacteristic. Up front, there were doubts as to whether Pelé and Tostão could really play together.
“Tostão was not a typical center forward,” said the historian Ivan Soter. “He was a ponta da lança like Pelé. So he would drop off and Pelé would become the center forward. It was very fluid.”
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The danger then was that there would be nobody in the box to take advantage of their attractive approach play, but that was alleviated by Jairzinho, a rapid right winger (he more than lived up to his nickname of ‘Furacão’–‘the Hurricane’) with an eye for goal. His strike against England, hurtling late into the box to hammer an angled finish across Gordon Banks after Pelé had held up and then laid off Tostão’s cross was typical, and he finished the tournament as the only man to score in every game in the finals.
Jairzinho’s forward surges left space behind him, but that was no problem because Carlos Alberto was a very attacking right back. He advanced and the defense shuffled over.
That still left two major issues: who to play on the left, and where to fit Rivellino, another who favored the ponta da lança role. Everaldo was a far more defensive-minded fullback, which balanced the back four, but that meant that if a flying left-winger were selected, damaging space could appear on that flank. Two problems became one solution, as Rivellino was stationed vaguely on the left, although he often drifted infield, asked to provide some sort of balancing counterweight to Jairzinho’s surges and encouraged to unleash his left foot whenever possible.
NETHERLANDS
Rinus Michels had no great vision when he took over Ajax in 1965. What he found as a core of young local players who had been schooled in the virtues of passing and moving. Over time, they developed the style that became known as Total Football, their familiarity with each others’ games allowing them almost instinctively to cover for their teammates.
Michels oversaw the organic development of the side, which was based around the frail, angular center forward Johan Cruyff, who would often drop deep, even into his own half, to direct the play. Ajax went on to win three straight European Cups, and, although Michels left for Barcelona after the first, it was his Ajax that formed the basis of the national team he took to the 1974 World Cup.
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The real innovation was pressing and the use of the offside trap as an attacking tool. Johan Neeskens, a tough an intelligent central midfielder, led the charge, pressuring the man in possession, who couldn’t simply play the ball beyond his challenger because of the way the rest of the side also pushed up. Simple balls over the top became ineffective because forwards left behind the advancing defensive line would be caught offside.
Players interchanged positions, although only longitudinally, never laterally: the side is best thought of as three lines of three with a libero: the right back would at times play on the right of midfield or on the right wing, with others on that side of the pitch dropping back to over, but wouldn’t switch to play at center back. It was simple enough to be intuitively understood, but gave a variety to their play, increasing the angles of attack and allowing even the defensive line to press high in the opposition half, knowing there should be cover behind them.
The Dutch swept through the 1974 World Cup. Arie Haan was superb as the libero, Rob Rensenbrink and Johnny Rep admirable attacking foils for Cruyff and Ruud Krol and Wim Suurbier excitingly attacking fullbacks. But in the final, perhaps suffused with overconfidence, they lost 2-1 to the host West Germany.
WHY THEY DIDN’T MEET
Although Ajax had become a formidable side by the late 1960s, the Dutch missed out on the 1970 World Cup, eliminated by Bulgaria in qualifying. They were at their peak by 1974, but Brazil was in decline. Pelé had retired from international football after the 1970 World Cup (although he was only 30), Tostão had decided to become a doctor after problems with his eyesight, Clodoaldo was injured and Gérson, at 33, was nearing the end. Their style had changed as well: their football had become more physical, in response to the increasing pace of the European game.
The two sides did meet in the second phase in 1974, but far from an intriguing clash of styles, the game became a battle. Marinho Peres knocked Neeskens out cold and Luis Pereira was eventually sent off for a horrible hack on the same player.
HOW IT WOULD'VE PLAYED OUT
Brazil’s performance in 1970, it turned out, was the end of an era. Zonal marking had developed in the 1950s and its natural corollary, pressing, was pioneered in the 60s. In Mexico in 1970, with the heat, the humidity and the altitude, pressing simply wasn’t possible. The pace of the game was slower and that allowed the sort of individualism in which Brazil specialized to flourish.
The reason Brazil changed its approach four years later was partly to do with the military regime–which sought data on everything and began to try to develop a “scientific” football–but also to meet the challenge of playing European teams in Europe. Uruguay and Argentina both stayed true to the traditional, slower game of South America and both were thrashed 4-0 by the Netherlands. In that sense, Brazil’s decision was vindicated.
As to who would have won? That probably depends on the conditions. In Mexico in 1970, the Dutch would never have been able to press with the intensity their game required. In cooler, lower conditions, it’s hard to see how even players as gifted as Brazil’s could have coped with the aggression of the Dutch.
GALLERY: 100 great photos in World Cup history
100 Best Photos in World Cup History
Diego Maradona punches in the infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.
Brazilian right back Cafu does a back flip after Brazil scored against Scotland in the 1998 World Cup.
Zinedine Zidane ends his international career in infamy by head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.
Andrés Escobar despairs after scoring an own goal against the United States in the 1994 World Cup. A few days later, Escobar was killed by drug lords in his native Colombia.
Diego Maradona, one of soccer’s best World Cup performers ever, dribbles in between six Belgians on his way to scoring a coast-to-coast goal in the 1982 World Cup. The goal is widely regarded as one of the best in soccer’s history.
Luis Suarez deflects a shot on goal by Ghana with his hand during the 2010 World Cup, resulting in him getting sent off and Ghana getting a penalty kick, which was saved.
Nijel de Jong kicks Xabi Alonso in the chest during the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.
David Beckham’s free kick curls over the wall of jumping Romanian defenders during England’s Group G match against Romania in the 1998 World Cup.
Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch in tears after being injured during Portugal’s Round of 16 clash with the Netherlands in the 2006 World Cup.
Berti Vogt of West Germany heads the ball as Dutchman Johan Cruyff and teammate Franz Beckenbauer look on in the 1974 World Cup.
Frenchman Patrick Battiston lies unconscious, sporting a broken jaw and missing two teeth after being on the receiving end of a body check from West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher during the countries’ semifinal matchup in the 1982 World Cup.
Siphiwe Tshabalala scores the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup for hosts South Africa, sparking raucous celebrations throughout the stadium.
Andres Iniesta of Spain prepares to unleash a shot on goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. His shot would go in, a 116th minute goal that won Spain’s storied national team its first-ever World Cup title, sending an entire nation into hysteria. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
A joyous Andres Iniesta celebrates his decisive goal. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro lifts the trophy with confetti in the background after Italy defeated France, 5-3, in the penalty shootout of the 2006 World Cup final.
Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez dives in a vain attempt to save a brilliant extra time volley from Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez in the 2006 World Cup.
Nelson Mandela lifts the World Cup trophy in 2004 in Zurich, Switzerland after FIFA’s executive committee awarded the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.
France’s Patrick Vieira is mobbed by his teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during France’s Round of 16 match against Spain in the 2006 World Cup.
Papa Bouba Diop of Senegal scores the winning goal against France and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in the 2002 World Cup. Emmanuel Petit and a ground Marcel Desailly of France look on helplessly.
The ball hits the back of Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s goal after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 40-yard bullet of a goal in the 2010 World Cup semifinal between the Netherlands and Uruguay.
Zinedine Zidane heads home France’s first goal in the 1998 World Cup final.
Argentinian defender Roberto Sensini kicks the ball away from Japan’s Hiroshi Nanami with a sensational bicycle kick clearance during their Group H matchup in the 1998 World Cup. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
Brazil’s Ze Roberto celebrates with teammates Cafu and Ricardinho after scoring in the Round of 16 match between Brazil and Ghana at the 2006 World Cup.
Bulgarian Iordan Letchkov celebrates after his flying header goes in against Germany, beating them 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals.
A dejected Ronaldo is consoled by Brazilian teammate Bebeto after France defeated the defending champions, 3-0, in the 1998 World Cup final.
Rasheed Yekini celebrates in the goal netting after Nigeria scored its first ever World Cup goal, against Bulgaria in the 1994 World Cup.
Frank Rijkaard spits at Rudy Voller in a match between Germany and the Netherlands, permanently cementing the moment as one of the World Cup’s most infamous.
Paulo Roberto Falcao of Brazil celebrates a goal in the 1982 World Cup quarterfinal against Italy.
Brazilian midfielder Socrates celebrates with teammate Zico on his back after scoring an equalizing goal, knotting the score at 1-1 against Italy. Italy would triumph in the end however, on its way to becoming champions.
Ronaldo runs away signaling his No. 1 status after scoring his second goal against Germany in the 2002 World Cup final.
Vava celebrates his goal that helped seal Brazil’s victory in the 1962 World Cup final for its second consecutive World Cup title. The Brazilians defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1.
Andreas Brehme of West Germany scores the only goal in the 1990 World Cup final between his country and Argentina.
Andreas Brehme celebrates in front of teammate Jürgen Klinsmann after scoring the winning goal on a penalty kick during the 1990 World Cup final.
Michael Owen of England collapses and holds his head in his hands after England loses, 2-1, to Romania in their first-round match in the 1998 World Cup.
German Torsten Frings appears to block the ball with his hand on the goal line against the U.S. during the first half of their quarterfinal match in the 2002 World Cup.
American Clint Mathis gestures to the linesman to open his eyes during the U.S. vs. Poland Group D match in the 2002 World Cup.
Yugoslavia’s Branko Oblek celebrates after scoring as Zaire’s substitute goalkeeper Dimbi Tubilandu beats the ground in frustration en route to Yugoslavia’s 9-0 thrashing of Zaire at the 1974 World Cup. The match remains the biggest winning margin in World Cup history.
Englishman Gordon Banks saves Pelé’s header in a first round match of the 1970 World Cup, cementing his place in soccer lore forever as the goalie who made what is, perhaps, the greatest save ever.
Diego Maradona hoists the World Cup to the sky as he’s carried on the shoulders of his teammates following the conclusion of the 1986 World Cup final.
France’s Zinedine Zidane jumps over the barrier as he celebrates his first goal during the 1998 World Cup final.
North Korea supporters wave the national flag as North Korea walks onto the pitch with their opponents, Brazil, ahead of their Group G matchup in the 2010 World Cup.
David Beckham receives a red card from referee Kim Milton Nielsen for kicking out at Diego Simeone during England’s match against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. Argentina would eventually go on to win the match in a penalty shootout, drawing intense criticism from the English, who blamed David Beckham for dooming them.
Luis Figo and Mark van Bommel go head-to-head in the Battle of Nuremburg, a World Cup match that set new records, featuring 4 red cards and 16 yellow cards in a physical match that had bad blood throughout. Portugal eventually won to advance to the quarterfinals.
France’s Patrick Vieira fouls Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during their match in the 2006 World Cup.
Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas raises the World Cup trophy and celebrates with his teammates after Spain defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, in the 2010 World Cup final. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
Wayne Rooney controls the ball during a Group B match between England and Sweden in the 2006 World Cup.
England’s Wayne Rooney looks up at the red card as referee Horacio Elizondo sends him off during England’s quarterfinal match against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.
Maxi Rodriguez celebrates at the end of Argentina’s Round of 16 win over Mexico in the 2006 World Cup.
Francesco Totti walks away in disgust after being awarded a controversial second yellow card in Italy’s second-round match with hosts South Korea in the 2002 World Cup as his teammates protest to the referee. South Korea went on to beat Italy, and Spain in the following match, fueling talk of bribery on the part of the South Koreans.
English goalkeeper David Seaman looks on in dismay after Brazil's Ronaldinho scores a phenomenal 42-yard free kick goal off the top left corner of the goal in the second half of a 2002 World Cup quarterfinal.
Ronaldo puts German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn’s mishandled save into the back of the net for the first goal of the 2002 World Cup final.
Brazilian defender and team captain Cafu holds up the World Cup trophy triumphantly as confetti rains down on him. Brazil defeated Germany, 2-0, in the final match of the 2002 World Cup.
Mehdi Mahdivakia of Iran celebrates his goal against the United States en route to his country’s 2-1 victory in the 1998 World Cup.
Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp controls the ball against Argentina’s Roberto Ayala during their quarterfinal match in the 1998 World Cup.
Thierry Henry kisses the World Cup trophy after France defeated Brazil, 3-0, to win the 1998 World Cup final on home soil.
Michel Platini kisses the ball before missing a penalty in France’s quarterfinal against Brazil in the 1986 World Cup.
Hungarian goalkeeper Antal Szabo saves a shot from Italian Silvio Piola during the 1938 World Cup final. Hungary would go on to lose, but Szabo famously said “I may have let in four goals, but at least I saved their lives,” reflecting on then-Italian ruler Benito Mussolini’s threat that his team would either “win or die.”
Zinedine Zidane walks past the World Cup trophy after being sent off in the final match of the 2006 World Cup.
Bebeto celebrates a goal in the 1994 World Cup with his now-famous “baby cradle” celebration.
Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel saves Daniele Massaro’s shot during the penalty shootout in the 1994 World Cup final.
Colombian Carlos Valderrama dazzles the 1990 World Cup with his head of curly, blond hair.
Diego Maradona lets out a scream following his goal against Greece in the 1994 World Cup.
Roberto Baggio stares at the spot after missing a penalty in the 1994 World Cup final to give Brazil the win and the title.
Brazilian forward Romario kisses the World Cup trophy as his teammates Branco and Dunga look on after Brazil defeated Italy in the 1994 World Cup final.
Roger Milla dances at the corner flag after scoring a goal against Colombia in the 1990 World Cup.
Paul Gascoigne cries after England loses to West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semifinals. The game was tied at 1-1 and went to a penalty shootout, which West Germany won, 4-3.
Spanish riot police look on as English and French fans topple barriers as a result of fighting in the stands during England’s 3-1 win over France in the 1982 World Cup.
Archie Gemmill scores a penalty against the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup, his second of the game.
West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer performs the customary captain’s pregame handshake with East Germany’s Bernd Brausch, a historic moment that brought together the two separated (since rejoined) parts of Germany ahead of their first-round match in the 1974 World Cup.
England’s Bryan Robson heads the ball past French goalkeeper Jean Ettori to score his second goal of the match en route to England's 3-1 defeat of France in the 1982 World Cup.
Uli Steilike curls up in a ball after missing the first penalty in a penalty shootout between West Germany and France (West Germany would eventually win despite Steilike’s initial miss)
Marco Tardelli of Italy goes nuts after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final on a wonder goal against West Germany.
Angry Brazilian players follow Welsh referee Clive Thomas after the conclusion of Brazil’s second-round match with Sweden. Thomas blew his whistle for full time while Brazilian Zico scored a free kick, inexplicably discounting the goal and ending the game.
Dutchman Ernie Brandts turns the ball into his own goal past his goalkeeper, Piet Schrijvers, for an own goal during the Netherlands’ second-round match with Italy in the 1978 World Cup.
Mario Kempes runs off to celebrate his game-clinching goal in extra time, which helped lift Argentina to a 3-1 victory of the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final.
Dutch star Johan Cruyff fakes out a goalkeeper and scores in the 1974 World Cup. Cruyff invented “the Cruyff turn,” one of soccer’s coolest and most devastating tricks, cementing his place in soccer history.
West German captain Franz Beckenbauer holds up the World Cup trophy after his team defeated the Netherlands, 2-1, in the 1974 World Cup final.
West Germany’s Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner, the two West German goal scorers in the 1974 World Cup final, celebrate at the after-match banquet by smoking cigars.
Mexican forward Horacio Lopez Salgado hits a diving header under pressure from Soviet Union’s defender Gennadi Logofet during the opening match of the 1970 World Cup.
Pelé and Jairzinho celebrate after Pelé’s goal in the 1970 World Cup final. The game, which saw Brazil defeat another two-time champion, Italy, by a 4-1 margin, resulted in Brazil keeping the Jules Rimet trophy (the current trophy design began to be used at the following World Cup).
England’s Bobby Moore shakes hands with Brazil’s Pelé after Brazil defeated England, 1-0, in the 1970 World Cup.
North Korean Pak Doo Ik celebrates after scoring against Italy’s Enrico Albertosi, which ultimately was the lone goal in North Korea’s 1-0 victory for the reclusive nation over Italy in the 1966 World Cup.
English manager Alf Ramsey does his best to stop defender George Cohen from swapping shirts with Argentina’s Alberto Gonzalez following a stormy, ill-tempered match in a quarterfinal of the 1966 World Cup.
Portuguese legend Eusebio beats the Hungarian defense for a goal in the 1966 World Cup.
Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin makes a full-length dive to save a West German free kick during the semifinal of the 1966 World Cup. Yashin revolutionized goalkeeping as a whole with his dazzling saves and impressive command of his defense. He remains the only goalkeeper ever voted the European Footballer of the Year.
Pelé walks off in pain after injuring his shoulder against Portugal during their match at the 1966 World Cup.
Geoff Hurst turns away and celebrates after completing what remains as the only hat trick ever recorded in a World Cup final. The historic achievement was the highlight of a greater achievement -- the first and only World Cup victory for England.
English captain Bobby Moore soaks in the adulation of the home fans as his teammates hoist him and the World Cup trophy on their shoulders following the conclusion of the final.
Chile’s 2-0 victory over Italy, infamously called the “Battle of Santiago”, was a game marred by various acts of violence that included three separate times when police had to restore peace on the field in order for play to continue.
Englishman Ray Wilson gets chased by a dog named Bob who wandered onto the pitch during England’s quarterfinal clash with Brazil in the 1962 World Cup.
Bobby Charlton shoots despite being defended heavily by Brazilian defenders in the quarterfinal of the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
Pelé celebrates as Brazil defeats hosts Sweden, 5-2, in the 1958 World Cup final. Pelé scored twice on a day that saw him become the youngest player to ever score in a World Cup final (a record that stands to this day).
French forward Just Fontaine attempts to dribble past Brazilian goalkeeper Gilmar during a semifinal clash in the 1958 World Cup.
German captain Fritz Walter and coach Sepp Herberger are hoisted on the shoulders of their compatriots after West Germany beat the heavily favored Hungarian team in the 1954 World Cup final, 3-2, nicknamed “The Miracle of Bern.”
Joe Gaetjans celebrates as the U.S. defeats England 1-0 in perhaps the most significant soccer game in U.S. history and still considered, even 60 years later, one of soccer’s greatest upsets.
Uruguayan Alcides Ghiggia celebrates in front of a hostile crowd at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro as Uruguay upsets the heavily-favored hosts Brazil to win its second World Cup trophy, in 1950.
Vittorio Pozzo, captain of the Italian national team, celebrates a victorious World Cup held in his home country in front of then-ruler Benito Mussolini.
Fans blow vuvuzelas following the opening match of the 2010 World Cup between South Africa and Mexico.
Coleen McLoughlin, girlfriend of England’s Wayne Rooney, sits behind Cheryl Tweedie, girlfriend of England’s Ashley Cole, and Victoria Beckham, wife of England’s David Beckham, as they look on from the stands before the beginning of England’s Group B clash with Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 World Cup.
Pedro Cea beats Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Botasso en route to Uruguay’s 4-2 victory in the first-ever World Cup final, held in 1930, on home soil.
An accomplished author of multiple books, Jonathan Wilson is one of the world’s preeminent minds on soccer tactics and history.