Copa 71

Six teams took part: Mexico, Argentina, Denmark, England, France and Italy. Matches were played at the Estadio Azteca and in Guadalajara, with attendance reported at around 100,000 for some games.

The organisers used bold marketing, including pink goalposts and promotional events, to attract attention. Players describe being treated like celebrities in Mexico, then returning home to little recognition.

Denmark won the final against Mexico. The documentary interviews players from several squads, many speaking publicly about the tournament for the first time.

Archival footage, much of it rarely seen, shows the scale of the event and the quality of play.

For anyone working in women's sport, Copa 71 is a reminder that audience demand existed decades ago. The barriers were institutional: governing bodies, media and sponsors chose not to invest.

It also shows how history is shaped by who records it. Without official recognition, the tournament was left out of statistics and narratives, affecting how later generations understood the women's game.

Marketers and event organisers can study how the 1971 organisers attracted crowds, and the risks of promotional approaches that emphasise appearance over sport.

Watch Copa 71 if you work in women's sport, football development, governance or sport history.

This Shelf feature reflects the film's story and themes; it is not a scene-by-scene review.