Leopards restore some pride

22nd June 1974, Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen. Kick off: 1600. Attendance: 35,000

Brazil 3 (Jairzinho 12', Rivelino 66', Valdomiro 79') Zaire 0

Teams: Zaire:Kazadi, Mwepu, Mukombo, Buhanga (replaced Kidumu as captain, 62'), Lobilo, Tshinabu (sub:Kilasu 79'), Manu, Kidumu (captain) (Kembo 62'), Maku, Kibonge, Ntumba

Brazil:Leao, Luis Pereira, Marinho Peres, Piazza (Mirandinha 60'), Marinho Chagas, Jairzinho, Leivinha (Valdomiro 11'), Rivelino, Nelinho, Carpegiani, Edu.

Coach: Mario Zagallo.

Yellow cards: Mirandinha (Brazil) 77', Mwepu (Zaire) 85'

Referee: Nicolai Rainea (Romania, Assistant referees: Aurelio Angonese (Italy)
Klaus Ohmsen (East Germany)

In stark contrast to the Yugoslavia game, Zaire defended superbly throughout with some determined tackling and spectacular goal-line clearances frustrating the Brazilians, who needed a three-goal win to progress to the next stage. The third goal eventually came after a terrible mistake by Kazadi and then, with five minutes remaining, Brazil were awarding a free-kick twenty-five yards from the Zaire goal.

Zaire vs Brazil 1974 World Cup (match highlights)

"Now that's a booking. That must be a booking for Mwepu." (ITV match commentator, Gerald Sinstadt) (see Ilunga Mwepu post for further explanation)

"What on earth did he do that for? A bizarre moment of African ignorance." (BBC match commentator, John Motson, who at this point didn't know the real reasons behind Mwepu's actions)

"Vidinic told us to go out and enjoy it, that it would be his last game with us, and that Brazil played the same style as we did so we had a chance to show something. We didn't play badly, actually. Better, I think, than we had against Scotland." (Zaire midfielder Adelard Mayanga Maku, who had been restored to the starting line-up)


"Perhaps it would have been better not to play Zaire first. Perhaps we softened them up for Yugoslavia and Brazil. Who knows?" (Scotland captain Billy Bremner reflects on his team's elimination, on goal difference, from the World Cup)