World Cup ’70: Hosts Mexico Reaches Quarterfinals; El Salvador Debuts

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  25 May 2026)

Mexico entered the 1970 FIFA World Cup carrying a heavy historical burden, but this time, they held the monumental advantage of playing on home soil. Having qualified for six previous World Cups, El Tri had never once survived the opening group stage. Their entire tournament history consisted of immediate, painful exits, with their lone victory arriving back in 1962. Facing intense domestic pressure, the hosts were desperate to break their historic curse and navigate the uncharted territory of the knockout rounds.

While the tournament would eventually end in the quarterfinals, Mexico’s 1970 campaign would forever be remembered as a magnificent milestone. It was the tournament where they finally shed their status as perennial underdogs, remaining undefeated in the group stage to claim their first-ever ticket to the final eight.

Cárdenas and the Golden Generation

Stepping into the dugout for this historic tournament was a familiar face: Raúl Cárdenas, the former dependable defensive pillar who had anchored the Mexican backline as a player in three previous World Cups, including Chile 1962. Having transitioned from a gritty defender into a brilliant, tactically sound coach, Cárdenas constructed a squad perfectly designed to withstand the brutal summertime heat and altitude of the country's central stadiums.

Recognizing that playing in front of over 100,000 fanatical home supporters required immense mental fortitude, Cárdenas relied heavily on a trusted core of domestic league legends:

• Gustavo Peña: The iconic, steel-willed captain and defensive anchor who marshaled the backline with veteran poise.

• Ignacio Calderón: The starting goalkeeper, famously known as "El Cuate," who provided an immovable presence between the posts.

• Javier Valdivia: A versatile, clinical forward capable of unlocking disciplined European defenses.

• Enrique Borja: The beloved and dangerous striker whose aerial threat kept opposing defenders under constant duress.

Cárdenas' blueprint was precise: utilize the oppressive altitude of the Estadio Azteca and back it with structured, patient play to wear down their Group 1 opponents.

Holding the Line Against the Soviets

The draw for Group 1 brought heavy competition, placing Mexico alongside Belgium, the formidable Soviet Union, and tournament debutants El Salvador. On 31 May, Mexico opened the entire World Cup tournament at the majestic Estadio Azteca against a star-studded, physically imposing Soviet side.

Before an anxious, roaring crowd of over 107,000 fans, Mexico refused to be intimidated. Cárdenas’ disciplined defensive scheme completely neutralized the Soviet attack, keeping the dangerous Russian wingers completely in check. When the Soviet Union did find space, Calderón stood tall, orchestrating his defense and holding the line. The physical, tactical battle ultimately ended in a grueling 0:0 draw. Though they missed out on a victory, the hosts proved their defensive resilience to the world and secured a crucial opening point.

This historic match also marked the official debut of substitutions and cards (yellow and red) in the World Cup. The Soviet player Kakhi Asatiani received the first yellow card in history, shown by German referee Kurt Tschenscher in the 30th minute. Likewise, at the start of the second half (46th minute), the first substitution in World Cup history took place when Soviet Union’s Anatoliy Puzach came on to replace Viktor Serebryanikov.

La Selecta Open with Tough Loss To Belgium

The other regional zone (Concacaf) qualifier joining the host nation at the 1970 World Cup was El Salvador. La Selecta was making its historic World Cup debut, having qualified after a tense, politically charged campaign against Honduras and defeating Haiti for the final berth.

The team was under the direction of Chilean coach Hernán Carrasco, who three years earlier was at the helm of El Salvadorean club Alianza FC when they captured the Concacaf Champions Cup. Carrasco formed a squad that featured 12 players from the roster that competed at the 1968 Olympic Football Tournament held in Mexico City:

• Roberto Rivas: A legendary right-back for Alianza who played his entire professional career at the club.

• Guillermo Castro: A versatile and hard-tackling defender nicknamed "El Loro" (The Parrot), who shined for Atlético Marte and FAS.

• José Quintanilla: A stellar midfielder for Alianza nicknamed “El Ruso” (The Russian); he was a defensive midfielder who helped the club win the 1968 Concacaf Champions'Cup.

• Jorge Vásquez: An intelligent center-back who was the backbone of the national team while playing for the Universidad de El Salvador (UES) club.

• Sergio Méndez: A physically dominant center-forward for Atlético Marte who played for the national team since the late 1960s.

• Alberto Villalta: A rugged, versatile player who successfully alternated between midfield and defense for Alianza and Atlético Marte.

• Mauricio González: A creative playmaker for Alianza and the older brother of El Salvador's greatest football idol, "Mágico" González.

• Mauricio Rodríguez: Universally revered as “Pipo” Rodríguez, he stood out with UES and scored the famous qualifying goal against Honduras.

• Juan Ramón Martínez: The legendary clutch goalscorer who scored El Salvador's historic first Olympic goal in 1968.

• Salvador Cabezas: A creative midfielder nicknamed "Chamba," who played for local club Adler.

• Elmer Acevedo: A lethal forward for FAS.

• Gualberto Fernández: A reliable goalkeeper nicknamed "El Pulpo" (The Octopus), who served as the main starter during the 1968 Olympics.

However, on 3 June, before a crowd of 92,205 at the Estadio Azteca, Belgium spoiled El Salvador’s World Cup debut. A pair of goals from Wilfried Van Moer (12', 54') and a penalty kick tally in the 79th minute from Raoul Lambert gave the Red Devils a comfortable 3:0 victory.

Controversy and History Against El Salvador

On 7 June, Mexico returned to the Estadio Azteca for a highly anticipated Concacaf derby against their neighbors, El Salvador.

Before a packed crowd of 103,058 spectators, the match shattered expectations and plunged into absolute chaos right before halftime. With the game deadlocked at 0:0, Egyptian referee Ali Kandil awarded a free kick to El Salvador in their own half. Instead of letting La Selecta take it, a Mexican player quickly stepped up and took the kick himself, passing it forward to Javier Valdivia, who promptly slotted it into the net. Despite furious Salvadoran protests, the referee allowed the goal to stand, sparking pandemonium. El Salvador's players were so incensed that they briefly refused to kick off the second half, instead booting the ball directly into the stands in protest.

Once play properly resumed, the romp was on. Valdivia struck again in the 46th minute to make it 2:0, and Javier Fragoso extended the lead to 3:0 in the 58th minute. History was then capped off in the 83rd minute when substitute Juan Ignacio Basaguren scored the final goal, becoming the first substitute ever to score a goal in a World Cup match. The 4:0 thrashing put Mexico on the brink of the quarterfinals.

Soviet Union Sends El Salvador Home Without A Goal

El Salvador entered its third group encounter on 10 June at the Estadio Azteca with one more chance to score its first-ever World Cup goal, however, it was not to be against the Soviet Union.

Despite La Selecta holding the Russian side scoreless for the entire first half, the deadlock broke six minutes into the second stanza. The crowd of 89,979 cheered the word “Goal” as Anatoliy Byshovets got the Soviets on the board. Byshovets would strike again in the 74th minute to secure a 2:0 victory for the Soviet Union, forcing El Salvador to depart the World Cup without a goal to their names.

The Penalty That Broke the Curse Against Belgium

With a spot in the quarterfinals within their grasp, Mexico closed out the group stage on 11 June against a talented Belgian side that needed a victory to advance. The match was widely labeled as the most significant game in the history of Mexican football up to that point.

The tense affair mirrored the defensive masterclasses of Mexico's previous matches. The defining moment arrived in the 14th minute when Mexico aggressively pushed into the Belgian box and drew a clear penalty kick. Stepping up to the spot under immense pressure, captain Gustavo Peña calmly struck the ball past the Belgian goalkeeper Christian Piot, sending the stadium into absolute euphoria. From there, the Mexican defense turned into a brick wall. Calderón and Peña repelled every Belgian attack for the remainder of the 90 minutes, sealing a historic 1:0 victory. For the first time in history, Mexico had survived the group stage.

A Valiant Exit Against the Finalists

Because Mexico and the Soviet Union finished perfectly level on points and goal difference, a drawing of lots was required to determine the group winner. The Soviets won the draw, forcing second-place Mexico to travel to Toluca to face a powerhouse Italian side in the quarterfinals.

Though El Tri took an early lead through José Luis González, the clinical brilliance of the Italians eventually overwhelmed the hosts, ending in a 4:1 defeat. The Azzurri offense came from a first-half own goal by Javier Guzmán (25'), followed by a second-half pair of tallies from Gigi Riva (63', 76') and a final goal from Gianni Rivera to close out the Mexican dream.

Italy would march all the way to the World Cup Final, where they eventually fell to Pelé's legendary Brazil squad, 4:1 on 21 June. Mexico's exit was undeniably tough, but the 1970 campaign was a triumph of historic progress. By reaching the quarterfinals and remaining undefeated in the group stage, Cárdenas and his generation proved that Mexico could stand tall among the elite of world football.

1970 World Cup

El Salvador Roster

GK: Raúl Magaña (CD Atlético Marte), Tomás Pineda (Juventud Olímpica), Gualberto Fernández (AD Atlante);

DF: Guillermo Castro (CD Atlético Marte), Santiago Cortés (CD Atlético Marte), Salvador Mariona (Alianza FC), Mauricio Manzano (CD FAS), Saturnino Osorio (CD Águila), Roberto Rivas (Alianza FC), Jaime Portillo (Alianza FC); 

MD: José Quintanilla (CD Atlético Marte), Genaro Sarmeno (CD FAS), Jorge Vásquez (Universidad de El Salvador), Alberto Villalta (CD Atlético Marte), Salvador Cabezas (ADLER);

AT: Elmer Acevedo (CD FAS), Ernesto Aparicio (CD Atlético Marte), David Cabrera (CD FAS), Mario Monge (CD FAS), Juan Ramón Martínez (CD Águila), Sergio Méndez (CD Atlético Marte), Mauricio Rodríguez (Universidad de El Salvador).

TD: Hernán Carrasco (CHI)

Mexico Roster

GK: Ignacio Calderón (CD Guadalajara), Antonio Mota (CID Necaxa), Francisco Castrejón (Pumas UNAM);

DF: Juan Manuel Alejandrez (CD SC Cruz Azul), Javier Guzmán (CD SC Cruz Azul), Guillermo Hernández (Club América), Francisco Montes (Veracruz), Gustavo Peña (CD SC Cruz Azul), Mario Pérez (Club América), José Vantolrá (CD Toluca);

MD: Juan Ignacio Basaguren (Atlante FC), José Luis González (Pumas UNAM), Antonio Munguía (CD SC Cruz Azul), Héctor Pulido (CD SC Cruz Azul), Marcos Rivas (Atlante FC), Mario Velarde (Pumas UNAM);

AT: Enrique Borja (Club América), Isidoro Díaz (Club León), Javier Fragoso (Club América), Horacio López Salgado (Club América), Aarón Padilla (Pumas UNAM), Javier Valdivia (CD Guadalajara).

TD: Raúl Cárdenas (MEX)

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement to ANCCIF First Vice-President – Samuel Martell (El Salvador),  North Zone Board Member – Marcelo Assaf (Mexico); ANCCIF Member – Rodrigo Arias (El Salvador) for their assistance on this article