21 June 1970 - Brazil Literally Wins The World Cup

On 21 June 1970, Brazil became the first team to win three World Cup trophies, beating Italy 4-1 in that year's Final. In that match, Pelé became the first (and to date only) player to win three trophies and Brazil manager Mário Zagallo became the first person to win trophies as a player and coach.

Playing before a crowd of 107,412 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Pelé opened the scoring with a powerful 18th-minute header. Italy found a first-half equalizer in the 37th minute thanks to confusion between Brazilian keeper Félix and defender Hércules Brito. As the keeper rushed forward to stop the Italian attack, Brito charged in and knocked the ball away, allowing Italian forward Roberto Boninsegna to slot it into an open net.

Level at 1-1 at the break, the second half belonged to Brazil. Gérson put them up 2-1 with a low driving shot from outside the box in the 66th minute. Five minutes later, a long pass found Pelé in the box and he headed the ball down into the path of the charging Jairzinho, who bundled it into the net. The scoring ended in the 86th minute as a precise Brazilian build-up involving eight different players resulted in a Pelé pass to captain Carlos Alberto, who blasted the ball home from about 10 yards out. It was a brilliant example of Brazil's now famous style of play.

With their third World Cup title, Brazil were allowed to keep the trophy. Unfortunately, it was stolen in 1983 and has never been recovered.

11 September 1945 - Der Kaiser Starts To Roll

On 11 September 1945, former Bayern Munich star defender and West German national team captain Franz Beckenbauer was born in Munich.

Nicknamed "Der Kaiser," Beckenbauer started playing football at the age of 8 and signed with the Bayern Munich youth team in 1959 (despite supporting local rivals 1860 Munich). He debuted for Bayern's senior side on 6 June 1964 and stayed through the 1976-77 season, accruing a total of 461 appearances and 53 goals in all competitions. During that time, Bayern won four Bundesliga titles, four DFB Cups, three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and one Intercontinental Cup.

In the meantime, Beckenbauer also enjoyed success with the West German national team, for whom he made 103 appearances, winning the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer's West Germany also finished as runners-up in the 1966 World Cup and in third place for the 1970 World Cup. He also claimed numerous individual honors, including the 1972 and 1976 Ballon d'Or awards.

Beckenbauer left Bayern in 1977 to play for the New York Cosmos (1977-80, 1983) and Hamburg (1980-82). He retired from playing in 1983 and turned to management, starting with the West German national side (1984-90). When West Germany won the 1990 World Cup, Beckenbauer became only the second person to win the Jules Rimet Trophy as both a player and manager (Brazil's Mário Zagallo was the first).

21 June 1970 - Brazil Literally Wins The World Cup

On 21 June 1970, Brazil became the first team to win three World Cup trophies, beating Italy 4-1 in that year's Final. In that match, Pelé became the first (and to date only) player to win three trophies and Brazil manager Mário Zagallo became the first person to win trophies as a player and coach.

Playing before a crowd of 107,412 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Pelé opened the scoring with a powerful 18th-minute header. Italy found a first-half equalizer in the 37th minute thanks to confusion between Brazilian keeper Félix and defender Hércules Brito. As the keeper rushed forward to stop the Italian attack, Brito charged in and knocked the ball away, allowing Italian forward Roberto Boninsegna to slot it into an open net.

Level at 1-1 at the break, the second half belonged to Brazil. Gérson put them up 2-1 with a low driving shot from outside the box in the 66th minute. Five minutes later, a long pass found Pelé in the box and he headed the ball down into the path of the charging Jairzinho, who bundled it into the net. The scoring ended in the 86th minute as a precise Brazilian build-up involving eight different players resulted in a Pelé pass to captain Carlos Alberto, who blasted the ball home from about 10 yards out. It was a brilliant example of Brazil's now famous style of play.

With their third World Cup title, Brazil were allowed to keep the trophy. Unfortunately, it was stolen in 1983 and has never been recovered.

11 September 1945 - Der Kaiser Starts To Roll

On 11 September 1945, future Bayern Munich star defender and West German national side captain Franz Beckenbauer was born in Munich.

Nicknamed "Der Kaiser," Beckenbauer started playing football at the age of 8 and signed with the Bayern Munich youth team in 1959 (despite supporting local rivals 1860 Munich). He debuted for Bayern's senior side on 6 June 1964 and stayed through the 1976-77 season, accruing a total of 461 appearances and 53 goals in all competitions. During that time, Bayern won four Bundesliga titles, four DFB Cups, three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and one Intercontinental Cup.

In the meantime, Beckenbauer also enjoyed success with the West German national team, for whom he made 103 appearances, winning the 1972 European Championship and the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer's West Germany also finished as runners-up in the 1966 World Cup and in third place for the 1970 World Cup. He also claimed numerous individual honors, including the 1972 and 1976 Ballon d'Or awards.

Beckenbauer left Bayern in 1977 to play for the New York Cosmos (1977-80, 1983) and Hamburg (1980-82). He retired from playing in 1983 and turned to management, starting with the West German national side (1984-90). When West Germany won the 1990 World Cup, Beckenbauer became only the second person to win the Jules Rimet Trophy as both a player and manager (Brazil's Mário Zagallo was the first).