Pele scored hundreds of goals, but the one people talk about MOST is the one he did NOT score! In the 1970 semi-final against Uruguay, Pele received a through ball, let it run PAST him with a dummy — sending the keeper the WRONG way — then ran around the other side to collect the ball. He eventually shot wide, but the DUMMY was so outrageous, so genius, that it became more famous than most actual goals!
Country: Brazil Opponent: Uruguay Year: 1970 Round: Semi-final Score: Brazil 3-1 Uruguay Minute: Not scored (famous dummy)
The Moment
- Pele let a through ball run past him without touching it, sending goalkeeper Mazurkiewicz the wrong way
- He ran around the other side of the stranded keeper to collect the ball
- His eventual shot from a tight angle went just wide of the far post
- Despite not scoring, the moment is considered one of the greatest pieces of skill in football history
- It perfectly encapsulated Pele's philosophy: football should be joyful, creative, and audacious
The Verdict
How can a NON-GOAL make a list of the greatest goals? Because Pele's dummy was bigger than any goal. The imagination, the confidence, the sheer audacity to try it in a World Cup semi-final — nobody else would even THINK of it. The greatest piece of skill the World Cup has ever seen!
Tomorrow: #4 — Stay tuned for the next legendary goal!
