Perhaps a little bit of personal nostalgia, but...
Today, fifty years ago, on May 31st 1970, the ninth FIFA World Cup started, hosted in Mexico.
That edition is often referred to as 'finest world cup ever'. With 'the save of the century' (Gordon Banks in England - Brazil), 'the match of the century' (the semi-finals Italy against West-Germany 4-3 in extra time) and 'the squad of the century', or 'the best squad ever' (the Brazilian winning squad).
All five previous winners were present. In the quarter finals, ruling world champion England met West-Germany, the runner up of the previous eventful final in Wembley in 1966. Time either to confirm or for revenge. Despite an initial 2-0 advantage for England, it ended up with revenge, when, in the extra time, top scorer Gerd Müller (10 goals) made the 2-3 for West Germany.
All other four previous winners qualified for the semi-finals : Uruguay (1930, 1950), Italy (1934, 1938), West-Germany (1954) and Brazil (1958, 1962). Uruguay was the weakest (they would only score 4 times in six encounters). With a final between Brazil and Italy, one of them would win the Jules Rimet trophy for the third time. Regulations specified that the first team to win it three times, would keep it permanently. In the finals, Italy was no match for the Brazilians : 4-1. Brazil went home with the Jules Rimet Trophy (it was replaced by the current trophy, for which there is no such arrangement; the Jules Rimet Cup was stolen while on display in 1983 and was never recovered; a replica has been made afterwards).
The qualification round in Central America had ended in a short war between neighbouring countries El Salvador and Honduras, after the former qualified during play-offs. This (and existing tensions) lead to riots and the so called 'Football War' or 'Hundred hours War, in July 1969. Both countries used planes, tanks and artillery from World War II. It was the last war exclusively fought with piston engined aircraft.