A memory of Copa Libertadores: when Pelé's Santos beat Universitario de Deportes

The legend lives on. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or simply Pelé, made history with Santos from Brazil, winning six national titles, as well as two Libertadores and two Intercontinental Cups. However, during his career at 'Peixe' (1956 to 1974) he only played against one Peruvian team in one official tournament: Universitario de Deportes in 1965.

Santos qualified for the 1965 Copa Libertadores after being champion of Brazil in 1964. They met in group 2 of the continental tournament with Universidad de Chile, Chilean soccer champion, and Universitario de Deportes, Peruvian soccer champion. Pelé's team was feared, he had already been champion of the 1962 and 1963 editions.

The 'Peixe' won the group series four victories adding 8 points, as is remembered until 1994 the victories gave only two points. The Brazilian team defeated both the Chilean and Peruvian teams at home and away, adding a total of ten goals for and only three against.

Despite arriving as Peruvian champion, Universitario de Deportes was unable to get a draw against Santos, whose squad included players who had won the World Cup in Chile in 1962, including goalkeeper Gilmar, Zito, Mengálvio, Pepe and Pele.

The first match between the meringues and the Brazilians was played on February 19, 1965 at the National Stadium in Lima. The referee was the Paraguayan Ruben Cabrera. Universitario lined up Dimas Zegarra, Nicolas Fuentes, José Fernández, Humberto Arguedas, Jorge Fernández, Luis Cruzado, Luis Zavala, Alejandro Guzmán, Ángel Uribe, Enríque Rodríguez, and Víctor Calatayud. They were led by the historic Marcos Caldearon.

In the case of Santos, Gilmar, Joel Camargo, Haroldo, Geraldino, Zito, Mengálvio, Lima, Dorval, Pepe, Peixinho, Pelé started. They were led by Lula, a mythical coach with whom they won national and international championships.

Universitario de Deportes opened the scoring with a goal by Víctor Calatayud 6 minutes into the match; the 'Peixe' equalized after 14 minutes with a goal from Peixinho, who also scored the second goal for the Brazilians after 39 minutes. The final result was 2-1.

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This marker would be repeated in Brazil, at the Paulo Machado de Carvalho stadium, better known as Pacaembú Stadium. The match was played on March 6, 1965 and was refereed by the Uruguayan Esteban Marino.

Santos played with Gilmar, Olavo, Joel Camargo, Geraldino, Zito, Mengálvio, Lima, Dorval, Toninho Guerreiro, Pepe, Pelé. In the case of Universitario, he lined up Dimas Zegarra, Nicolas Fuentes, José Fernández, Jorge Fernández, Humberto Arguedas, Luis Zavala, Ángel Uribe, Enríque Rodríguez, Óscar Ríos, Alejandro Guzmán, and Víctor Calatayud.

Pelé scored the first goal 21 minutes into the match in Sao Paulo. In the second half, the Peruvian Jorge Fernández would score an own goal after 76 minutes, putting the Brazilians 2-0 up. A minute later, the 'cream' player Luis Zavala would discount for the visit. The match ended 2-1 in favor of the locals.

Despite the good performance in the group stage, Pelé's team was eliminated by Peñarol in the semifinals in a tiebreaker match. However, the Uruguayan team fell in the final against Independiente de Avellaneda from Argentina.

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Edson Arantes do Nascimento has been hospitalized since November 29 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo. The health of the Brazilian star world champion three times (1958, 1962 and 1970) has deteriorated in recent weeks as a result of the metastatic cancer that afflicts him.

Through social networks, the relatives of the 82-year-old former striker have published multiple messages. His Kely Nascimento shared an image with his brothers Flavia and Edinho, there are also Sophia and Stephany, granddaughters of the former soccer player, among other people.

"Almost every. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family. The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send", was the message that accompanied the photograph posted by Kely.

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Universitario de Deportes opened the scoring with a goal by Víctor Calatayud 6 minutes into the match; the 'Peixe' equalized after 14 minutes with a goal from Peixinho, who also scored the second goal for the Brazilians after 39 minutes.