Sweden 1958
The 1958 World Cup has commonly been held in special regard by those searching for the game’s finest figures and most incredible records. Perhaps its greatest claim was the emergence of a boy who would go on to become the most remarkable player the game has ever witnessed, Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Pele.
His side Brazil had certainly come well prepared. Since the disaster of 1950, Brazil had dedicated themselves to eradicating all grounds for failure. For the trip to Sweden their preparations went into overdrive, no stone being left unturned in the methods used to give them an edge over their competitors. Indeed Vicente Feola, Brazil’s 48 year old manager was certainly considered by some at home to be in need of all the help he could get. His heart problems had led him to take the position of director of football at Sao Paulo, where he had assisted legendary Hungarian coach Bela Gutman. His coaching party included Hilton Gosling, a Swedish doctor who had done a great deal of reconnaissance work in selecting a suitable base for their World Cup preparations. Yet the most surprising choice was the team’s own psychologist, Joao Carvalhaes. He put the squad through a series of tests prior to going to Sweden, the results of which have since proved increasingly surprising. Pele was described as being “infantile” and lacking spirit, while Garrincha managed to score 38 on his tests, out of a possible 123, not enough for the job of bus driver. Fortunately for Brazil, and the rest of the world, these results were not the overbearing criteria for team selection.
Indeed the playing personnel matched up admirably to their back room staff. Brazil had retained Didi, their magical playmaker, but whose position was in doubt even in the build up to the tournament, primarily due to his age and perceptions of laziness. Further survivors from 4 years earlier were the two Santoses, Nilton and Djalma, who remained rock-solid at the back. Sadly Brazil were without Julinho, their outstanding right-winger who had decamped to Italian club Fiorentina, but in his place came a new hope. Botofogo’s Garrincha had the talent to captivate the world, but his discipline was a real cause for concern. Such was the worry about Garrincha’s lack of focus and care-free attitude that Joel, of Flamengo, was in pole-position to play at outside right when the tournament began. One excellent addition to the side was youngster Jose Altafini, commonly called Mazzola in Brazil, due to his similarity to the great captain of Torino and Italy Valentino Mazzola, who was tragically killed in the Superga disaster of 1949 (to avoid any confusion I will use Altafini throughout). He was a match-winning centre-forward whose transfer to European Cup finalists Milan had already been agreed. Then of course there was Pele, he was just 17 but had looked impressive in his early outings, and showed plenty of potential.
They were not though the only contenders. Hosts Sweden had a strong side reinforced by the readmission of their stars playing abroad. The two most notable reinforcements were Gunnar Gren, “the Professor”, and Nils Liedholm, “the Baron”. These two members of the fabulous Gre-No-Li trio had enjoyed great success since their move to Milan, and their importance in the national side could not be understated. Sadly for Sweden the third member of the trio Gunnar Nordahl one of the game’s most prolific ever scorers had retired in 1957 and so was absent. However, in Kurt Hamrin and “Nacka” Skoglund Sweden had unearthed two players of exceptional ability, and two players who had the chance to drive them all the way to victory.
Also in attendance were the reigning champions, West Germany, though some questioned whether they would be able to repeat their stunning feats of four years earlier when they shocked the world. They still had Fritz Walter, as well as outstanding wingers Helmut Rahn and Hans Schafer. Many of the other members of their World Cup winning side had since departed, but there were a couple of fresh faces, most notably in Uwe Seeler and Horst Szymaniak.
For the only time in the history of the World Cup all four Home Nations were in attendance, and, with the possible exception of Scotland, all had reason to be confident. Wales looked to their outstanding Juventus star John Charles, “Il Buono Gigante” to inspire them to success. Charles had just returned from his debut season in Italy where he had been a shining success. One of his greatest attributes was his versatility, having proved himself to be a world class performer at either centre back or centre forward. Yet he was simply the leading light among a host of stars. Also in the squad were John’s brother Mel Charles who played at the back, Ivor Allchurch a magical inside forward of great vision and panache, Cliff Jones a lightening quick winger, Terry Medwin the Spurs midfielder and Jack Kelsey the brilliant Arsenal keeper.
Sadly England’s preparations for the World Cup had been hit by the same tragedy that had so badly affected Italy 8 years earlier. The Munich Air Disaster of February 6th 1958 when the Manchester United team’s plane had crashed when returning from a European Cup game against Red Star Belgrade, left England shorn of 3 of their leading players. Roger Byrne the United captain and Tommy Taylor their excellent centre-forward had been killed at the scene but Duncan Edwards, considered by many to be the most talented player England have ever produced, died in hospital 15 days later. Bobby Charlton, another youngster of immense potential survived, but while he travelled to Sweden, he did not play. Despite the disaster England still possessed some superb players, particularly captain Billy Wright and inside forward Johnny Haynes whose incisive passing was able to tear teams to shreds.
Northern Ireland were led superbly by Danny Blanchflower the Tottenham Hotspur wing-half, who had recently been named player of the year in England, though his brother Jackie was badly injured at Munich and never played again. Blanchflower Sr was ably supported by Jimmy McIlroy, Billy Bingham and goalkeeper Harry Gregg.
Beaten finalists in Switzerland, Hungary, had arguably suffered the greatest upheaval of all the travelling teams. The Hungarian Revolution of October and November 1956 had caught Kispest Honved, the army team for which most of Hungary’s great stars played, abroad on tour. Quite wisely perhaps, a number of players (most notably Puskas, Czibor and Kocsis) refused to return to Hungary and so the team was left without 3 of the world’s greatest figures. Despite retaining the likes of Josef Bozsik, Gyula Grosics and Nandor Hidegkuti (though he was not part of the Honved side) Hungary were severely weakened by the debacle and their hopes of rectifying the errors of the previous World Cup were dented.
Argentina were without two of their great stars, Alfredo Di Stefano and Omar Enrique Sivori, and lined up notably the worse for it but veteran Angel Labruna was in the party. Italy had failed to qualify for Sweden, despite boasting Boniperti, as well as Uruguyan World Cup winners Schiaffino and Ghiggia.
Group A
West Germany opened the defence of their title in Malmo against an Argentina side that had refused to take part since the 1934 championships. The Germans though were shocked after just 3 minutes when Orestes Corbatta, the Argentine outside-right, netted after ghosting past Erich Juskowiak. Helmut Rahn equalised for Germany midway through the half with a powerful left footed drive leaving Amedeo Carrizo helpless. Uwe Seeler put the Germans in front just before half time after playing a clever one-two with Hans Schafer the German skipper. With only ten minutes remaining Rahn sealed the victory and left the Argentines bitterly disappointed.
Meanwhile in Halmstad Czechoslovakia played Northern Ireland in a tight encounter. The Irish emerged victorious thanks to a single goal, a header from Wilbur Cush from a Peter McParland cross. It left Northern Ireland in a strong position to join favourites W Germany in the second round and the Czechs had serious work to do if they were to salvage their World Cup dreams.
In Helsingborgs defending champions West Germany faced Czechoslovakia and found themselves behind after 24 minutes when Milan Dvorak blasted the Czechs ahead from the spot. The Czechs doubled their lead just before the break when a powerful drive from Josef Masopust was only parried by Fritz Herkenrath and from the resulting cross Zdenek Zikan scored from close range. The Germans though hit back and when a looping corner from Helmut Rahn was inadequately dealt with by Suatopluk Pluskal, Hans Schafer bundled both the ball and Czech keeper Bretislav Dolejsi into the net. The Czechs protested but Arthur Ellis the English referee allowed the goal to stand. Then with twenty minutes remaining Helmut Rahn was teed up on the edge of the area and he succeeded in smashing the ball past the helpless Dolejsi to level the match and secure a precious point for the champions.
When Northern Ireland faced Argentina they knew that a win would almost certainly be enough to see them through to the next round. To that end Northern Ireland got off to a flyer with Peter McParland putting them in front after just 4 minutes. Argentina hit back though with a penalty from Orestes Corbatta before half time. In the second half veteran Angel Labruna started to pull the strings for Argentina, while Northern Ireland missed the controlled passing of Danny Blanchflower in midfield as he had moved to the back to replace his injured brother Jackie. Argentina’s pressure soon began to tell and they scored two second half goals through Nolberto Menendez and Ludovico Avio.
West Germany’s final group game was against Northern Ireland with both sides needing a result to make sure of progression. Peter McParland put the Irish in front after 17 minutes but the W Germans were soon level thanks to Helmut Rahn. McParland put the Irish ahead again on the hour mark and the W Germans appeared on the brink of elimination until Uwe Seeler levelled the game with 11 minutes to go to save the holders’ blushes.
The Czechs and Argentines also knew that a win would be enough to guarantee further football, either in the form of a play-off or automatic qualification. Yet any hopes the Argentines might have had were effectively over at half time as the Czechs led 3-0 thanks to a goal from Milan Dvorak and two from Zdenek Zikan. Corbatta pulled one back midway through the second half with a penalty, his third goal in three games, but the Czechs responded themselves. Jiri Feureisl scored a fourth for Czechoslovakia and then Vaclav Hovorka grabbed a brace in the last 10 minutes to complete the rout.
Northern Ireland and Czechoslovakia were therefore forced to face each other again in a play-off to decide which side would progress to the quarter finals. Given Northern Ireland’s victory in their first encounter some considered them favourites but their side was hit with injuries and so it was a very even affair. Zdenek Zikan put the Czechs ahead after 19 minutes, a scrappy goal, as he headed the ball as it bounced in the box. Yet just before half time the Irish were level, Wilbur Cush saw his shot saved by Dolejsi and while he was unable to reach to the rebound, Peter McParland pounced and drew the sides level. The score remained 1-1 throughout normal time, but in the first minute of the added period the Irish were awarded a free-kick. Danny Blanchflower took it, and floated a ball with pin-point accuracy on to the right foot of the unmarked McParland who fired past Dolejsi from inside the six-yard box. It proved enough to eliminate the Czechs and see the Irish through to the last eight.
17-JUN-58 MALMOE Northern Ireland:Czechoslovakia
2:1 a.e.t (1:1, 1:1) Malmoe FF
15-JUN-58 HELSINGBORG Czechoslovakia:Argentina
6:1 (3:0) Olympia Stadium
15-JUN-58 MALMOE Germany FR:Northern Ireland
2:2 (1:1) Malmoe FF
11-JUN-58 HELSINGBORG Germany FR:Czechoslovakia
2:2 (0:2) Olympia Stadium
11-JUN-58 HALMSTAD Argentina:Northern Ireland
3:1 (1:1) Orjans Vall
08-JUN-58 HALMSTAD Northern Ireland:Czechoslovakia
1:0 (1:0) Orjans Vall
08-JUN-58 MALMOE Argentina:Germany FR
1:3 (1:2) Malmoe FF
Group B
France kicked off their campaign against Paraguay, a side not widely fancied in the build up to the tournament. Yet The French found themselves behind after 20 minutes when Amarilla netted for Paraguay. Within ten minutes though the French were ahead thanks to two goals in quick succession from Just Fontaine. Amarilla drew the Paraguyans level just before the break courtesy of a penalty and Romero put them ahead soon after half-time. From that point on the Paraguyans crumbled, allowing Wisnieski, Kopa, Vincent and Piatoni to score and Fontaine completed his hat-trick.
Scotland and Yugoslavia’s game was a much tighter affair, though in the early stages it looked as if the Yugoslavs might cut loose. Aleksander Petaković, the Yugoslav outside-right, put the Eastern Europeans ahead after 13 minutes, but for all their early pressure the Scots were able to deny their opponents another goal. Instead it was the Scots who were next to score as Murray headed home from Turbull’s cross after a mix-up between Beara and Krstic. 1-1 was how the game ended despite the Yugoslavs hitting the frame of the goal on numerous occasions.
The game between France and Yugoslavia pitted the two favourites in Group B against one another. Just Fontaine put the French ahead after just (no pun intended) 4 minutes as he hammered the ball past Vladimir Beara from a low cross. Aleksandar Petakovic drew the Yugoslavs level though ten minutes later, punishing France for a terrible punch by their goalkeeper Francois Remetter. Todor Vesilinovic added to the French woes as he put the Yugoslavs in front just after the hour mark. Just Fontaine equalised for the French but Vesilinovic scored Yugoslavia’s third to win the game and put them in a strong position in the group.
Meanwhile the Scots and Paraguayans fought out a tough game, with some commentators remarking that the Scots looked jaded from their exertions against the Yugoslavs. The Scots fell behind early on to a goal from Aguero, but hit back with a goal of their own via Mudie. Paraguayan forward Re gave them the advantage just before the break, a hammer blow to Scottish morale. Poradi extended the Paraguayan advantage midway through the second half and though Collins pulled one back soon after the Scots couldn’t force an equaliser and the game finished 3-2.
France’s final game paired them with Scotland, and both sides knew that a win should be enough to see them through. The first goal of the game was scored by Raymond Kopa, after Just Fontaine had hit the byline and cut the ball back. It was a real reversal as throughout the tournament it was Kopa who supplied Fontaine with goalscoring opportunities. Then John Hewie missed a glorious opportunity to put Scotland level, blasting wide from the penalty spot. Fontaine managed to extend the French advantage as he slotted past the on rushing Scottish keeper Bill Brown late in the first half. The Scots pulled one back midway through the second period via Stuart Baird but it was not enough to prevent them being eliminated.
The Yugoslavs performed poorly against Paraguay in their final group game, in particular their normally excellent keeper Beara had a game to forget. Goals from Ognjanović and Veselinović meant that the Yugoslavs led 2-1 at the break, Parodi having scored for Paraguay, but they were caught out shortly after half-time as Aguro punished the Yugoslav defence. Rajkov seemed to have won the game for Yugoslavia but with time running out Romero snatched a late equaliser for the South Americans. It was to prove an irrelevance though, Yugoslavia and France advance to the quarter finals.
15-JUN-58 ESKILSTUNA Paraguay:Yugoslavia
3:3 (1:2) Tunavallen
15-JUN-58 OEREBRO France:Scotland
2:1 (2:0) Eyravallen
11-JUN-58 NORRKOEPING Paraguay:Scotland
3:2 (2:1) Idrottsparken
11-JUN-58 VAESTERAS Yugoslavia:France
3:2 (1:1) Arosvallen
08-JUN-58 VAESTERAS Yugoslavia:Scotland
1:1 (1:0) Arosvallen
08-JUN-58 NORRKOEPING France:Paraguay
7:3 (2:2) Idrottsparken
Group C
The tournament opened in the Raasunda stadium in Solna as hosts Sweden took on Mexico. The Swedes took the lead after 17 minuted when Nacka Skoglund bemused Mexican right-back Jesus Del Moro and crossed for Agne Simonsson to poke the ball past keeper Carbajal. Shortly after the break the home side were awarded a penalty when Kurre Hamrin was bundled over in the box. Nils Liedholm stepped up and calmly slotted the ball low to the left, Carbajal didn’t even move. Agne Simonsson was able to score his second and Sweden’s third shortly after to wrap the game up.
Hungary, twice losing World Cup finalists, faced Wales, debutantes at the finals, on the same day in Sandviken. At first it appeared that the Hungarians had rediscovered their form of four year earlier as Josef Boszik put them ahead after 4 minutes. Yet Wales drew level midway through the first half as John Charles added his name to the score sheet. It was to be the last goal of the game which ended 1-1.
Wales’ next clash was against Mexico and it too ended as a 1-1 draw. Inside forward Ivor Allchurch put Wales ahead after half and hour, but in the second half Belmonte drew the Mexicans level. Wales struggled to match the tempo of the Mexicans and most judges considered a draw to be fair result.
The following day Sweden met Hungary, again at the Raasunda. The home side took the lead after 34 minutes when Kurt Hamrin scored his first goal of the tournament. His second followed in the second half, and Sweden even able to miss a penalty, Nils Liedholm the culprit, without too much concern. Lajos Tichy did reduce the arrears with 12 minutes remaining, but Hungary were unable to find an equaliser.
Wales and hosts Sweden played out a 0-0 draw in Solna which left both Mexico and Hungary knowing that a victory would force a play-off. As it was Hungary proved to be comfortable 4-0 winners, Tichy bagging a brace with Sándor and Benecsis netting once each.
So Wales and Hungary went to a play-off, with the Eastern Europeans most people’s favourites. That opinion was confirmed after half an hour as Hungary took the lead, Lajos Tichy drilling the ball past Kelsey from Budai’s lofted centre. However, Wales were nothing if not resilient and Ivor Allchurch responded with a wonderful looping shot over Gyula Grosics from his own good run. Wales then went one better and took a decisive lead when Terry Medwin netted. It was too much for Ferenc Sipos who was dismissed soon after for a hack on Ronald Hewitt. The Magyars who had been so unfortunate to fail at the final hurdle four years earlier were out, and had failed even to make it to the knock-out stages.
17-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Wales:Hungary
2:1 (0:1) Rasunda
15-JUN-58 SANDVIKEN Hungary:Mexico
4:0 (1:0) Jarnvallen
15-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Sweden:Wales
0:0 Rasunda
12-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Sweden:Hungary
2:1 (1:0) Rasunda
11-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Mexico:Wales
1:1 (0:1) Rasunda
08-JUN-58 SANDVIKEN Hungary:Wales
1:1 (1:1) Jarnvallen
08-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Sweden:Mexico
3:0 (1:0) Rasunda
Group D
In Group D Brazil got underway with a game against Austria, semi-finalists four years earlier. Yet the era of the Wunderteam had passed and Brazil looked imperious in an easy 3-0 victory. Altafini opened the scoring after 38 minutes when he beat Rudolf Szanwald with a low drive from the edge of the box. After the break Nilton Santos strode forward and doubled the Brazilian lead, dinking the ball over the oncoming Austrian keeper. Altafini rounded the game off with an excellent goal just a minute from time, driving at goal almost unopposed and smashing the ball high into the Austrian net.
England opened against the USSR, but found themselves behind to a Nikita Simonian goal after 13 minutes, Colin McDonald, the England goalie, having only been able to block an Ilin effort. Alexander Ivanov doubled their advantage early in the second half, scoring from a Vladimir Kessarev centre. Yet England pulled one back ten minutes later as Derek Kevan, England’s giant centre-forward headed home from a Billy Wright free-kick. Tom Finney levelled the match with 5 minutes remaining via the penalty spot to keep England in with a good chance of progression. Some had suggested that the foul took place outside the area, referee Istvan Zsolt had no such thoughts.
Brazil’s game with England produced a 0-0 stalemate, the English defence coping well with Brazil’s fearsome strike paring of Jose Altafini and Vava. The English could feel themselves aggrieved as Bellini fouled Kevan that they were not awarded a penalty, but some felt it was justice for the one they
were given against the Soviets. It was essentially academic, England’s second draw left them in needing more to go through, Brazil strengthened their grip on the group.
The Soviet Union bolstered their hopes of qualifying in the Ryvallen stadium in Boras against Austria. Anatoli Ilin scored the USSR’s first after a quarter of an hour and Valentin Ivanov added a second early in the second half. Two defeats in two games for Austria meant that their World Cup was effectively over.
Brazil’s third game drew them with the Soviet Union, with both sides knowing that they needed a result to avoid a play-off. The game was perhaps most notable though as the first game of two World Cup legends, Garrincha and Pele. It was Garrincha who announced his intent early on when he skinned both Boris Kuznetsov and Victor Tsarev only to see his shot rebound off the upright. Yet a minute later Didi carved open the Soviet defence with a sublime pass from the outside of his right boot into the path of Vava who raced in to break the deadlock. Midway through the second half Vava got his and Brazil’s second, after a slick interchange of passing with Pele to settle the game. Both Pele and Garrincha had a World Cup debut to remember.
The Austrians aimed to gain some level of consolation in their final group match-up with England. Their hopes were boosted after 15 minutes when Karl Koller put the Austrians ahead, a lead that lasted until after half time. In the second half Fulham’s Johnny Haynes, a player of exceptional passing ability, finally began to impose himself on the game, scoring himself in the 56th minute. The Austrians took the lead again after 70 minutes through Alfred Koerner, but when Haynes fed Kevan shortly after the game was level and England had drawn yet again.
England’s campaign finally ended in disappointment in Gothenberg as they went down 1-0 to the USSR. England gave debuts to Peters Broadbent and Brabook and the latter in particular had a superb game. He managed to hit the woodwork on two occasions and had a fine strike inexplicably ruled out by referee Albert Dusch of Germany. In the end it was Anatoli Ilin who scored the game’s only goal, profiting from a poor throw by goalkeeper Colin McDonald.
17-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG Soviet Union:England
1:0 (0:0) Nya Ullevi
15-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG Brazil:Soviet Union
2:0 (1:0) Nya Ullevi
15-JUN-58 BORAS England:Austria
2:2 (0:1) Ryavallen
11-JUN-58 BORAS Soviet Union:Austria
2:0 (1:0) Ryavallen
11-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG Brazil:England
0:0 Nya Ullevi
08-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG Soviet Union:England
2:2 (1:0) Nya Ullevi
08-JUN-58 UDEVALLA Brazil:Austria
3:0 (1:0) Rimnersvallen
Quarter-finals
For their quarter final against Brazil Wales were without their talismanic forward John Charles. Garrincha again made a bright start tormenting Welsh left-back Melvin Hopkins before seeing a solid drive palmed away by goalkeeper Jack Kelsey. Ultimately it was left to the boy Pele to inspire his side to victory and he did just that when, in the 66th minute, he received the ball from Didi with his back to goal dinked the ball over the leg of Mel Charles and fired past both Kelsey and defender Stuart Williams to score a famous goal. In doing so Pele became the youngest scorer in World Cup history and the Welsh went home ruing both a missed chance and a missed captain.
In Stockholm Olympic Champions the USSR were paired with hosts Sweden. In the first-half the man that kept the scores level was Soviet keeper Lev Yashin who pulled off a string of excellent saves. Yet in the second half he could do nothing when Kurt Hamrin’s cross was blocked by Vladimir Kessarev and rebounded almost directly onto Hamrin’s head and into the net. It was a freak goal that left Yashin powerless and cursing his unfortunate defender. Alexander Ivanov almost drew the sides level shortly after but he saw his looping volley headed off the line. However, the Swedes took their chance and on an incisive counter-attack Hamrin crossed from the left and Agne Simonsson slotted the ball coolly past Yashin to make the game safe.
Northern Ireland’s reward for their victory over Czechoslovakia was a quarter final draw with France, in inspired form thanks to Raymond Kopa and Just Fontaine. Jimmy McIlroy squandered Ireland’s best chance in the first half after Billy Bingham had flicked on a Danny Blanchflower throw. Maryan Wisnieski made them pay though for the sloppiness as he scored a scrappy goal after 22 minutes. After the break France doubled their advantage when Kopa fed Fontaine who cut inside his marker Richard Keith to score. Fontaine added a third before Roger Piantoni rounded off a wonderful passing move to blast in a 4th goal from a tight angle. The scoreline was perhaps a touch unfair on the N Irish who had showed guts and determination throughout the competition, but they had no response to the magic of Fontaine and Kopa.
Reigning champions W Germany met Yugoslavia in the quarter finals just as they had done four years earlier. Helmut Rahn scored the only goal of the game when after a powerful run he somehow managed to fire the ball past Srboljub Krivokuca from what appeared to be an impossibly acute angle. Alfred Schmidt came close to doubling the Germans advantage in the second half when his sublime chip came back off the right-hand post and Hans Schafer also hit the woorwork, his strong drive being stopped by the crossbar.
19-JUN-58 MALMOE Germany FR:Yugoslavia
1:0 (1:0) Malmoe FF
19-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG Brazil:Wales
1:0 (0:0) Nya Ullevi
19-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Sweden:Soviet Union
2:0 (0:0) Rasunda
19-JUN-58 NORRKOEPING France:Northern Ireland
4:0 (1:0) Idrottsparken
Semi-finals
The first semi-final paired holders W Germany with Sweden in front of 50,000 spectators in Gothenberg. The Germans though took the lead though Hans Schafer midway through the first half. Helmut Rahn managed to keep what had looked like a lost cause in play and delivered a cross which Hans Schafer dispatched past goalkeeper Karl Svensson from 15 yards out. The Germans then had a golden chance to double their lead when Fritz Walter delivered an excellent pass for Uwe Seeler, after good work down the right, which the forward blasted just over the bar. Yet they were punished for their error five minutes later when Nacka Skoglund drilled a low shot past the helpless Fritz Herkenrath . Some complained that Nils Liedholm had handled the ball in the build up to the goal but Istvan Zsolt, the Hungarian referee, was unperturbed and allowed the goal to stand. When Erich Juskowiak, the German defender, was sent off for a kick on Kurt Hamrin the Swedes began to make their numerical advantage tell. Gunnar Gren put Sweden in front in the second half with a superbly struck shot from 30 yards and Hamrin completed the victory lofting the ball over Herkenrath after beating his man at the byline. Sadly for the Germans there was to be no “Miracle of Gothenberg”.
The match between Brazil and France pitted the tournament’s irresistible force again its immovable object. France had already scored 15 goals, 8 of them coming from Fontaine alone, while Brazil were yet to concede. Yet after just two minutes it was Brazil that took the lead, Vava with a wonderful chest trap hammered the ball past Claude Abbes. Within 10 minutes though France were level as Fontaine latched on to a wonderful through ball and took the ball past goalkeeper Gilmar, beating both Nilton Santos and Bellini’s desperate attempts on the line. France then lost their imperious captain Robert Jonquet, and within two minutes were made to pay for his absence as Didi struck a tremendous 35 yard volley into the top right corner. When Abbes fumbled a routine cross Pele was there to profit and tap the ball into an empty net, although it appeared the linesman had flagged for offside. Garrincha then began to bamboozle French left-back Jean-Jacques Marcel, and after skinning him he centred for Pele who tricked his marker and fired in another goal. Brazil though were not content with 4 goals and when Garrincha crossed for Pele he delivered the coup-de-grace, a wonderful volley from the edge of the box. Roger Piantoni did restore some pride for France, nutmegging Zito before crashing the ball past Gilmar. Brazil then were clear winners but France did not end the game disgraced.
24-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG Sweden:Germany FR
3:1 (1:1) Nya Ullevi
24-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Brazil:France
5:2 (2:1) Rasunda
3rd place play-off
The game between France and W Germany proved to be a spectacular advert for all that is right with the game. Just Fontaine put the French ahead after 16 minuted when Raymond Kopa provided him with a gilt edged chance, but the Germans response was almost immediate. Hans Cieslarczyk blasted a superb drive past the despairing reaches of Claude Abbes to make it 1-1. When Yvon Douis was brought down in the area the responsibility fell to Raymond Kopa to convert the spot kick. For once he did not pass to Fontaine, instead he stroked the ball past Kwiatkowski, who in truth should have done better. Fontaine was on target again though before the break, turing in a scrappy goal after his own attempted flick. Douis added another French goal on his French debut, but Helmut Rahn brought the Germans back into it with a goal from what appeared an impossible angle, his sixth of the tournament. Fontaine completed his hat-trick with 12 minutes remaining, his second of the 1958 World Cup, though Schafer reduced the arrears from close range. Finally with just a minute remaining Fontaine broke clear and slipped the ball beneath the body of Kwiatkowski to net yet again. It was Fontaine’s 13th goal of the finals, a record that stands to this day, and one which Fontaine himself doubts will ever be broken.
28-JUN-58 GOTHENBURG France:Germany FR
6:3 (3:1) Nya Ullevi
The final
Nils Liedholm broke the deadlock after just four minutes, after evading a tackle he fired a low shot hard on the skidding pitch and past Gilmar in the Brazilian net. Some, most notably George Raynor the Swedish coach, had felt that Brazil would crumble if hit by an early set-back, but the South Americans proved they were made of sterner stuff. Just 5 minutes later Garrincha beat his man and whipped in a low cross from the line, it got past Pele but not past Vava who slid in to guide it home. Garrincha then tried to add a second himself, after a mesmeric dribble his fierce shot came back off the inside of the post. The Botofogo winger was not though downbeat about his near miss and after 21 minutes he fired in another pin point cross which was again turned in by Vava, almost a carbon copy of the first. The third goal was one that will live in the memories of lovers of the “Beautiful Game” forever. Didi steered the ball into Pele who controlled it with his chest and gave Gustavsson a “sombrero”, before volleying the ball past Svensson. It was a masterful goal from a boy showing maturity beyond his years. Garrincha came close again soon after, his delicate chip being tipped on to the bar by goalkeeper Svensson. For all his excellence Garrincha was to be denied that elusive World Cup final goal. His fellow winger though Mario Zagallo, who would later go on to coach Brazil to World Cup victory in 1970, did get on the scoresheet, a low shot leaving Svensson powerless to stop it. Simonssen brought the game back to 4-2 shortly afterwards, profiting from clever play by Nacka Skoglund. Fittingly though it was left to Pele to seal the victory. From Zagallo’s cross he leapt Jordan-esque to head home and cap a remarkable performance. After the game Pele broke down in tears, overcome by the emotion of the event. The Brazilians’ lap of honour saw them carry a Swedish flag in gratitude to their hosts, yet in truth it was the rest of the world who had to be thankful for the magnificent spectacle laid on by the boys from Brazil.
29-JUN-58 STOCKHOLM Brazil:Sweden
5:2 (2:1) Rasunda
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Comme's History of the World Cup- Sweden 1958
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