So, it all came down to Brazil vs. Italy on July 5 for a place in the 1982 World Cup semifinal. “I have to say, Italy played better than Brazil and their victory was indisputable,” Kfouri says.

It was time for Brazil to take another look at 1982. If Spain was now seen as the home of the beautiful game, then Brazil could at least fight back with the memories of that World Cup.

Highlights: Italy 3-2 Brazil - 1982 World Cup In 1982, Brazil was still ruled by the military regime that had seized power 18 years earlier, when left-wing president Joao Goulart was ousted in a coup.

Into the famous 80s, and the one where Brazil did everything but win the trophy. Spain 1982 The number of entrants increased to 24 and two round-robin stages were used to determine the semi-finalists.

It was of the great matches in World Cup history. A clash of styles, culture and tactics, Italy versus Brazil from World Cup 1982 wrote its own special page in football’s glorious history.

Brazil's great team of 1982 may not have won any trophies, but they are serving as a muse for Tite's current Selecao.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Former Brazil goalkeeper Waldir Peres, a member of three World Cup teams, died on Sunday at the age of 66 after a heart attack. His death was announced by his family.

The best: Brazil wowed the world with their displays in Spain in 1982 (Getty) opinion By Adam Powley 12:08, 10 Jun 2014Updated13:09, 11 Jun 2014 ...

Gabriele Marcotti continues his series profiling countries who performed exceptionally well at a World Cup only to, for one reason or another, fail to go all the way. Having covered Brazil in 1950 ...

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Former Brazil goalkeeper Waldir Peres, a member of three World Cup teams, died on Sunday at the age of 66 after a heart attack. His death was announced by his family.