The lovely Sausalito Stadium was shrouded in a drifting sea mist from the Pacific Ocean as these two famous teams took to the field for this vital quarter-final tie in the World Cup. England sprang a selection surprise when Gerry Hitchens ran out in place of Alan Peacock. Peacock had suffered from a slight stomach upset overnight and as a result was left out. Brazil were at full strength.

England began confidently and were soon attacking. Bobby Charlton started a good move which ended with Jimmy Greaves volleying high over the bar. Greaves had more luck a few moments later when a stray dog ran on to the pitch. To the amusement of the crowd the number-eight managed to catch the animal amd escort it from the field. Five minutes had elapsed when Brazil's midfield star Didi clashed with Ron Flowers and had to go off for treatment. Whilst he was gone, Brazil looked mervous as England played coolly and with composure. But Didi was soon back and gradually Brazil settled.

There was some lovely open play from both sides as the temperature rose. Maurice Norman made a fine tackle on the dangerous Garrincha, and then another break by the Brazilian right winger also brought a goal. A fast cross went between Ron Springett's legs, only for Jimmy Armfield to save the day with a goal-line clearance. That was a desperate moment for England as Didi and Zito were gaining ominous superiority in midfield. So far, though, the English players were giving as good as they got in the end-to-end play.

Didi slid a superb pass to Amarildo, who forced Springett into a marvellous full-length save. Then Greaves responded with a brilliant run and shot which Gilmar turned over. Flowers joined in the action by shooting just wide and Springett continued to perform well making fine saves from Garrincha and Didi. All this action had come in the first half-hour and in the 32nd minute the first breakthrough came. A corner by Zagallo was met by a full-blooded header by Garrincha and this time Springett had no chance.

Amarildo went very close to adding a second as the mist thickened, but England battled on manfully and in the 38th minute they scored an equalizer. Johnny Haynes put in a free-kick which Greaves, so unluckily, headed against the crossbar. Despair quickly turned to joy as Hitchens was on the spot to head home the rebound.

Charlton and Norman had been England's outstanding first-half players and the side left the field happy with their efforts.

After the interval, Brazil came out even more determined and began the half like an express train. Vavá had a goal disallowed. Garrincha's cross was headed straight at Springett by Amarildo, but then after 53 minutes the extra pressure finally told. A thundering free-kick by Vavá flashed past the English defensive wall. Springett understandably failed to hold this rocket and as the ball bounced up, Vavá followed up to head the loose ball home.

Still England bravely attacked but six minutes later, Garrincha scored a memorable goal which effectively ended the contest. He hit an incredible swerving shot from some 25 yards, beating Springett all ends up.

That was virtually that, although Amarildo swerved another blistering shot just over and then Haynes was unlucky to see one good effort punched over by Gilmar. By the end of the game Brazil were in full control and the samba rhythm beat out from the fans. For England, at least, there was satisfaction in the knowledge that they had given their all. Sadly, on the day the South Americans had just a little too much for them.
  

England's World Cup life was snuffed out by a Brazilian team minus injured Pele but with 'Little Bird' Garrincha at his bewildering best. The ball-conjuring winger put Brazil in the lead 13 minutes before half-time when he moved like a whippet to head in a Zagallo comer. England hit back with an equalizer six minutes later, Gerry Hitchens sweeping the ball home after a Jimmy Greaves header had hit the bar. Garrincha decided the match early in the second-half. His powerful free-kick from 25 yards was too hot to handle for Springett, and as he pushed the ball out Vava followed up to head it into the net. Then Garrincha, the man with two left feet, sent a vićiously swerving shot curling out of Springett's reach and into the roof of the net. England played with pride and passion, but were simply outclassed by a team with all the talents.
  

Source Notes

TheFA.com
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's Yearbooks
Mike Payne's England: The Complete Post-War Record (Breedon Books Publishing Company, Derby, U.K., 1993)
Norman Giller, Football Author
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CG