The I World Cup of Masters (also known as III Copa Pelé) was the fourth edition of the World Cup of Masters ran from 18 to 27 January 1991 and for the first time, it was held outside Brazil. It was held in Miami, and all of the matches were played at the Joe Robbie Stadium. The six "Master" teams were reigning champions Brazil, Italy, Uruguay, Argentina and for the first time representatives from England and Germany. The tournament involved the teams divided into two groups of three. Brazil won their third title, beating Argentina 2–1 in the final in a dramatic last-minute victory led by Zico and attended by 13,550 fans.
As part of the push to help make the U.S. soccer literate in time for the 1994 World Cup, the 1991 Pele Cup, which featured the six nations that have won a World Cup, was played at Joe Robbie Stadium. Five double-headers were scheduled between January 18–27, and featured Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay and England in a two-group, round-robin competition.
That was the first time this type of tournament has been performed in United States. Though, the Miami area historically did not prove to be a very enthusiastic audience for that kind of show, the organizers' aspect was to compete with the biggest sports event in the United States.
Key players
The tournament featured the six nations that had won World Cup championships. The year each nation won the title is in parentheses.
Argentina (1978, 1986)
Forward Mario Kempes, 36, scored two goals in a 3–1 win over The Netherlands in 1978 Cup final. Fullback Alberto Tarantini, 35, was the heart of the defense in 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970)
Forward Roberto Dinamite started in the 1978 FIFA World Cup and was considered one of the most popular players in Brazil. He retired recently from Vasco da Gama. Zico who travelled to Miami injured was one of the leading scorers in Brazil's football history.
Pelé, who had recently turned 50, did not play in the tournament due to a movie commitment. The United States bombing of Iraq kept Brazil`s Paulo Isidoro home. Isidoro got off a plane back to Brazil for fear of war-related violence in Miami.
England (1966)
Defender Bobby Moore, 49, captained the 1966 team that beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in the final. Moore has 108 international caps. Ray Clemence, 42, appeared 61 times on the national team.
Germany (1954, 1974, 1990)
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge scored five goals in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, leading West Germany to second place. Fullback Paul Breitner was a mainstay on the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
Italy (1934, 1938, 1982)
Paolo Rossi, 34, scored six goals in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, including one in the 3-1 win over West Germany. Forward Alessandro Altobelli, 37, scored once in 1982 final, and led Italy with four goals in 1986.
Uruguay (1930, 1950)
Alberto Cardaccio, 42, starred for the national team from 1970 to 1974, making 25 appearances. Fernando Morena appeared 21 times from 1974 to 1978 and starred for the Peñarol in Uruguay`s top league.
Squads
For the list of the squads, see 1991 Copa Pelé squads.
Group stage
Organizers called the tournament as "the most prestigious soccer championship ever held in the United States". The six-team field is separated into groups of three. A round-robin series determined the top two teams in each group to advance to the semifinals. That was the third Pele Cup, the first to be held outside of Brazil.
Pelé gave the opening kickoff between England and Uruguay in a Group B game on 18 January 1991. Italy played Germany in a Group A game on the same day.
Brazil won Group A with three points, Italy was second with two. Germany was eliminated with one point. Argentina, England and Uruguay tied with two points in Group B, but Argentina and Uruguay advanced because of goal difference.
In the beginning Brazil and Argentina, the most popular teams in the six-team Pele Cup, faced elimination, possibly leaving Julio Mazzei and tournament officials with a mostly European final four in a large Hispanic market. But eventually Brazil beat Italy 2–1 before 5,534 fans, in their last group game. Brazil, the most entertaining team in the tournament, fell behind 1–0 when Italy`s Roberto Pruzzo scored at 46'. Brazilian goalie Paulo Sergio deflected Pruzzo`s low, hard shot from 22 yards, then stretched desperately as the ball rolled away from his grasp into the net.