Sunday, May 3, 1998 Published at 17:27 GMT 18:27 UK

Meet the BBC Team

The heat and the altitude were major factors influencing matches in Mexico, but these hardly troubled the Brazilians. They won their third World Cup and took the Jules Rimet trophy home for good.

Who played?

Of the 71 teams competing in the qualifying rounds, Portugal, Hungary, France, Spain and Argentina all missed out. Morocco became the first African nation in the finals and Israel also made their debut.

What happened?
Holders England had a difficult start. Captain Bobby Moore was arrested in Bogota on trumped up theft charges, as the Mexican press labelled the team a bunch of "thieves and drunks".

England's mascot, Winston, failed to bring luck

But England fought through the group stages to set-up a quarter-final rematch against West Germany, the side they had beaten in the final four years earlier. The tables were turned.

England threw away a two-goal lead in the last half-hour of normal time. Franz Beckenbauer scored an opportunist goal, England manager Alf Ramsey took off Bobby Charlton and the Germans were back in.

Their extra-time winner set up a semi-final against Italy. Beckenbauer played with his arm in a sling, but his courage went unrewarded as the Italians ran out 3-2 winners in extra-time to earn their first final appearance for 32 years.

Carlos Alberto takes home the Jules Rimet trophy

Their opponents were Brazil, who had knocked out Peru in the quarter-finals and Uruguay in the semis.

Both sides were gunning for their third title and permanent custody of the Jules Rimet trophy.

Brazilian skipper Carlos Alberto scores the fourth and final goal against Italy [19'']

Brazil were unstoppable. They stormed to a 4-1 win with goals from Pele - in his third and final World Cup appearance - Gerson, Jairzinho and skipper Carlos Alberto.

Any lasting memories?

"What a magnificent save by Gordon Banks" [26'']

Gordon Banks' save from Pele's header is widely thought to be the World Cup's finest. But the shot to savour was Pele's attempt to lob the Czech goalkeeper from 50 metres out in the first round.

Brazil and England - respect [16'']

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