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Zico's World Cup career ended in disaster when he missed a penalty against France in 1986. David Cannon/Allsport |
After the cautious and unsuccessful campaigns of 1974 and 1978, Brazil sought to rekindle the spirit of 1970 with a squad of players dedicated to reviving Pele's "beautiful game."
With his swerving runs and powerful shooting, Zico was the archetypal samba superstar, but in 1978 niggling injuries and tactical disagreements had spoiled his campaign, although Brazil had still managed to finish third. In 1982 he formed a bucaneering midfield quartet with Socrates, Falcao and Cerezo that set the tournament alight.
After beating the Soviet Union, a trademark freekick from Zico set Brazil on course to a 4-1 win over Scotland, and he scored two more in a 4-0 win over New Zealand.
Brazil was playing the best soccer of the tournament, but in the second phase it was pitched into an unforgiving group with Argentina and Italy. Zico was magnificent against Argentina and scored from a rebounding freekick to set up a 2-1 win and a decisive match against Italy that Brazil only needed to draw.
In a classic match, Zico set up Socrates to score and constantly prompted Brazilian attacks, but Italy's resilience complemented by Paolo Rossi's opportunism won the day and Brazil was beaten 3-2.
By 1986, Zico's cavalier style was again out of favor as Brazil returned to the more pragmatic school of the mid-70s. He made just three substitute appearances and the last ended in disaster when he missed a penalty that would have sent Brazil through to the semifinals at France's expense. Instead the game finished 1-1 and Brazil lost out on penalties.
