Brazil’s first World Cup victory came after they defeated the host nation, Sweden, in the final. The 1958 World Cup final holds the record for the most goals ever scored in a championship game and also shares the record for the biggest winning margin (with the 1970 and 1998 tournaments).
The sixth edition of the men’s senior national teams’ quadrennial football competition, the 1958 FIFA World Cup was held in Sweden from June 8 to June 29. After defeating France in the semi-final and Wales in the quarterfinal, Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final in Solna, Stockholm, to win their first championship. A 17-year-old Pelé made his international debut at the competition by scoring in each of Brazil’s three knockout games.
Wales made their FIFA World Cup debut at this event, and they wouldn’t qualify for another tournament for another 64 years. The Soviet Union and neighbouring British team Northern Ireland made their tournament debuts as well.
The most goals scored in a World Cup final were in 1958
Most World Cup Goals in the Final
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Consider this: Brazil had not yet won any FIFA World Cups when The Guinness Book of Records was originally released in 1955. The number was a solid, round 0. That much can change in 60 years, for both the world record holder, now known simply as Guinness World Records, and the best national team in football: Brazil won the first World Cup held after that 1955 publication in 1958. Since then, the Seleço has won five games in total, more than any other country.
So yeah, 60 years may bring about a lot of change. But certain records — some appear impenetrable because they endure the test of time. And with that in mind, in today’s “60 at 60” segment, we examine a legendary record from 1958 while still at that same World Cup in Sweden. Please allow us to present Just Fontaine to you. Compared to what we saw in Brazil in 2014, there have been many more changes since the 1958 World Cup.
The 1958 World Cup final between Brazil and Sweden was one of the tournament’s most important games. The most goals ever scored in a World Cup final still belong to this game.
The 1958 World Cup final (First Half)
Nils Liedholm used a fantastic piece of skill to sneak past two players and then put the ball into the bottom left corner to give Sweden the lead at the Rasunda Fotbollstadion in the opening four minutes. However, Sweden’s advantage was short-lived. Five minutes later, Vava levelled the score after Mane Garrincha’s cross was intercepted by him. Brazil gained the lead for the first time in the 32nd minute and went on to dominate the game as a result of another effective combination between Garrincha and Vava that resulted in his second goal of the game.
World Cup Final of 1958 (Second Half)
The South American team carried on from where they left off in the first half, increasing their advantage to two goals when Pele added his name to the scoresheet by beating Kalle Svensson with a right-footed strike. After a single effort from Mario Zagallo, Brazil scored once again to end the match just before the 70th-minute mark. Agne Simonsson’s goal for Sweden did bring Sweden within one goal of the lead, but in stoppage time, Brazil’s advantage was back to three goals.
Brazil’s Hegemonic World Cup Performance
As they went on to win the following three out of four World Cups, Brazil’s 1958 World Cup victory marked the start of their hegemonic reign. Only French striker Just Fontaine finished ahead of Pele, 17, in the 1958 tournament’s best scorer standings after scoring six goals in the final.
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