Date: 31-05-1970
Stage: first round
Place: CIUDAD DE MEXICO
Running time: 97 min.
Colour: PAL
Quality: HD 1080 50fps (9,5)
Commentary: english
My rating: **
Notes:
MATCH SUMMARY
Sunday, 31 May 1970, 12:00
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Attendance: 107,160
Meteo: Hot, sunny, 27°C
MEXICO
Ignacio Calderon
Javier Guzman
Gustavo Peña (c)
Mario Perez
Jose Vantolra
Guillermo Hernandez
Hector Pulido
Mario Velarde
Javier Fragoso
Horacio Lopez Salgado
Javier Huerta Valdivia
Coach: Raul Cardenas de la Vega (MEX)
60′ Gustavo Peña
↻ 67′
Mario Velarde↓
Antonio Munguia↑
USSR
Anzor Kavazashvili
Vladimir Kaplichni
Gennadi Logofet
Evgeny Lovchev
Albert Shesterniev (c)
Kakhi Asatiani
Vladimir Muntyan
Anatoli Byshovetz
Givi Nodia
Viktor Serebryanikov
Gennadi Yevryuzhikhin
Coach: Gavril Kaczalin (URS)
30′ Kakhi Asatiani
31′ Givi Nodia
34′ Evgeny Lovchev
72′ Gennadi Logofet
↻ 46′
Viktor Serebryanikov↓ Anatoliy Puzach↑
↻ 67′
Givi Nodia↓
Viatly Khmelnitzky↑
Referee: Kurt Tschenscher (GER)
Goals:
None
Match overview
The opening match of the 1970 World Cup ended in a goalless draw between hosts Mexico and the Soviet Union at the packed Estadio Azteca. The match was notable for featuring the first-ever tactical substitution in World Cup history when USSR’s Anatoliy Puzach replaced Viktor Serebryanikov in the 46th minute. The game also saw multiple yellow cards, with the Soviet Union receiving four cautions compared to Mexico’s one. Despite the home advantage and massive crowd support, Mexico could not break down a disciplined Soviet defence.
Trivia
This match marked several World Cup firsts: the first tactical substitution and the opening game of the first World Cup held outside Europe and South America. The noon kick-off time was controversial, with many complaining about the extreme heat favouring teams from warmer climates. The Soviet Union were heavily favoured having reached the semi-finals of the previous World Cup.
