The fault that can floor Brazil

Mario Zagallo was the first to make the connection. It was half- time in Shizuoka, and the coach of the great 1970 campaign recalled his side's semi-final against Uruguay.

Poor defending meant that his men fell behind to a counter-attacking team. They were shaken, but an equaliser on the stroke of half-time gave them the heart to win the battle in the second half. Zagallo was convinced that history would repeat itself, and so it proved, with the free-kick winner a mixture of tragedy and farce for England's cause.

Comparisons with 1970 will now abound. Just as then, Brazil have a 100 per cent record. Just as Jairzinho did, Rivaldo has scored in every game. Just as 32 years ago, Brazil have overcome initial doubts to establish themselves as title favourites. There are even parallels between Ronaldo's return from injury and Pele's response to being kicked out of the 1966 World Cup.

And just as Pele and company are still celebrated all these years later, so it is entirely possible that posterity will bestow the same blessing on Brazil's current front three. Ronaldo's comeback – remarkable in itself – has also eased the pressure on Rivaldo, bringing the sublime best out of a player who has been an enigma throughout his long international career. Then there are touches of inspiration from the sorcerer's apprentice, Ronaldinho.

But the laurels of 1970 were shared more equally. Goalkeeper Felix and defenders Brito, Piazza and Everaldo might struggle to be remembered by all but aficionados, but the rest are legends.

In 2034 it is unlikely that many of the current side beyond the strikers will still be feted all over the world. Roberto Carlos yes, and Cafu perhaps, but none of the midfielders look set for a permanent place in the hall of fame. For all Brazil's attacking brilliance, the paucity of their midfield has been a feature of the campaign. It is just as well that the front three have taken their chances with such deadly efficiency. One wonders how many goals they could score if the 1970 duo of Clodoaldo and Gerson were operating behind them – or their predecessors Zito and Didi, or successors Toninho Cerezo and Falcão.

Apologists for the current midfield say that football has changed, and nowadays there is no space for the midfield organiser of old, but the fundamentals have not altered, and passing is one of the most important. Brazilian football began to eliminate the midfield organiser as a consequence of winning the 1994 World Cup. Dunga and Mauro Silva formed a superb midfield block, and keeper Taffarel was rarely called into action.

It became the template for Brazilian football. Every club fielded two midfield "guard dogs" to protect the defence – but the vast majority never developed the constructive skills of the World Cup-winning duo. The lack of imaginative midfield passing made life difficult for Brazil in Friday's first half. The longer Edmilson carried the ball, the more time the England defence had to organise itself. It is a defect which could yet cause problems, especially if the strikers have an off-day – or if Ronaldo's muscles rebel against the strain.

There is one area, though, where the class of 2002 are the equal of their illustrious predecessors. Physical preparation has long been taken very seriously in Brazil. In their golden age they often won games in the second half, upping the tempo to a rhythm their opponents were unable to match. As 1970 hero Rivelino said: "I was so well prepared that even in the intense heat of Mexico I don't ever remember having to go to the touchline to drink water." In the last half-hour on Friday it was difficult to tell that England had the extra man.

Now, with an old rival out of the way, flashes of individual genius and a fit team have taken Brazil to within two games of a fifth world title.