Brazil 1970 vs Charlton 2019

Venue: The Valley

Attendance: Reported 27,111 - actual 7,348

Score 1-0 (Taylor 89)

A cagey first half with very few chances and the defences in control. The only real opportunity fell to Carlos Alberto who was played in on the right of the area by Pele - Alberto caught it sweetly with the outside of his right foot but the ball missed the far post by inches.

Into the second half and the game opened up with a greater number of chances created, although none clear cut until late in the game when Solly broke down the right at pace and crossed to the far post where Taylor was waiting to head the ball high into the net - Felix had no chance.

5 minutes injury time was indicated and now it was backs to the wall with Brazil pushing harder and harder for the equaliser that would take the game to extra-time. On 94 minutes Jarzinho found space on the right of the penalty area and floated a cross to the back post where Pele rose like a stag to head the ball down and with power. It looked a certain goal but somehow Philips dived to his right, scooped the ball up and held on to it cleanly. If there's been a better save then I've yet to see it.

The referree blows for full-time shortly after the Pele chance and Charlton secure a hard fought but nonetheless historic victory.

Memories from the game - Naby's briliant tackle as Jarzinho was thundering towards the area, Philips save of course, and the demonstration of beach volleyball at half-time.   

I've always thought of this as an interesting thought exercise. Brazil '70 appears to be the apogee of football - the last time eleven men, who were the best footballers in a country, were sent out onto the field and told to just... play. Tactical nuance (and tactical cynicism) was still in its infancy, and o jogo bonito was in full swing.

But, football has moved on massively since. We're a third-tier football club, and yet we use heart/exercise monitors; incorporate the likes of massages and ice baths into recoveries; train according to some insanely detailed personal prep and in areas they wouldn't have dreamt of in the 70s; have stringent diets for the players; and so on.

Obviously, the current Charlton side hasn't got anywhere near the talent of that Brazil team. But given modern physiological developments, we'd probably be able to compete with them. We would be able to press for much, much longer than them, and probably play the game in general at a much quicker tempo.

An interesting thought experiment.

big compliment from the Addicks .. on Saturday at Doncaster our players will be wearing that lovely Brazilianish kit of yellow and blue, sky, sea and beach.. as to the relative skill levels ? .. answers on a postcard please

Its like when people try to argue that George Best, Maradona, Pele etc. were better than Messi is, do me a favour! Messi would run rings around every one of them. Football like nearly every sport will only grow and get better