The Final that ended a Tie

Picture this. A Final in Brazil, winner takes all, extra time and penalties if needed. Featuring the likes of Pelé, Jair da Costa and Carlos Alberto. Ended a draw. Yes a draw!

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In 1973, Santos faced Portuguesa in the final of the Campeonato Paulista. Two rounds of 11 games. The leaders of each round would go to the final. The winner of the final would take home the League title.

Pretty decisive right? The final was anything but. Despite Pelé and Santos dazzling for 120 minutes in front of 116’000 fans, the score was 0-0. It would go to penalties.

Santos had taken three penalties and scored two. Portuguesa had missed their first two and after they missed their third. The referee Armando Marques declared Santos the winners despite their still being two decisive penalties for both sides to take.

The referee eventually realised his mistake but Portuguesa had already left the stadium. The awarding body declared that the final was a tie and that the title would go to both teams. It would be Pele’s last major honour for Santos and he won it in the most extraordinary way.