It was a clash of the titans in the Mexican heat. Guadalajara, 1970, Carlos Alberto with an inviting pass in behind the English rear-guard, latched onto by Jairzinho who hung it in the air for Pele to rise and finish the script. But something, or someone, changed the ending.
What stood in the way of Pele's powerful downward header was the greatest save of all time, a moment that came to define the career of a gentle and humorous man from Sheffield.
Gordon Banks has died aged 81 but he will last long in the memory as England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper and the man who pulled off that famous save.
England's greatest goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, has died at the age of 81
Banks will forever be known for this truly remarkable save against Pele in 1970
The pair laugh while holding a framed photo of that famous moment almost 50 years ago
Banksy, as he was affectionately known, is widely considered as one of the best goalkeepers the game has ever produced. He was named Football Writers' Footballer of the Year in 1972 and FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year an incredible six times.
The English Football Hall of Fame inductee was also named as one of the greatest living footballers in 2004, from possibly the greatest the man whose goal-bound header he foiled.
Pele even unveiled a statue of Banks in his honour outside of Stoke's stadium in 2008, 38 years after their worlds collided in Guadalajara.
The great shot stopper was born into humble beginnings in 1937. He was raised in Sheffield's working-class area of Tinsley.
His physical strength grew alongside his work ethic as he hauled coal, dug trenches and laid bricks to earn his keep aged 15. He said in a BBC interview: 'I didn't realise at the time it was building the muscles in my arms and legs. It helped me in a roundabout way.'
It was while playing for local amateur side Millspaugh that he was offered a trial by Chesterfield in March 1953. This move was his first step in a journey to the zenith of football.
Banks served his country between the sticks and in the military. He completed his national service in Germany where he met his wife Ursula in 1955. She was working in a shop selling shirts and Gordon was one of her customers.
Banks had three children with Ursula, Robert (born July 1958), Wendy (1963), and Julia (1969). He separated from Ursula during his stint in America with Fort Lauderdale Strikers, but the couple reunited when Banks returned to England to be appointed as a coach at Port Vale.
Banks, who was born in Tinsley, Sheffield, learned his trade between the sticks at Leicester
Banks made his debut for the England national team in 1963 - this is a photo of him that year
Banks had an unsuccessful sojourn into management, feeling that Port Vale players didn't take his advice on board. He also applied for vacant positions at Lincoln City and Rotherham United, but was rejected. He instead accepted the role as manager of Alliance Premier League club Telford United – but after leaving the club temporarily to have surgery, he was sacked on his return.
He was offered the position of raffle-ticket seller on his return, and accepted the post in the belief that it would entitle him to the money owed to him in the
