1958

Host nation: Sweden Games: 35 Goals: 126 (3.6 per match) Dismissals: 3 Venues: 12 Winners: Brazil Top scorer: Just Fontaine (13 goals)

The tipping point in the 1958 finals was Brazil manager Vicente Feola’s reluctant selection of two untrusted talents – 17-year-old striker Pele and mercurial winger, Garrincha – for the final group match against the Soviet Union. The Selecao triumphed 2-0, with Garrincha’s trickery mesmerising opponents, fans and team-mates. Pele (left) then scored six goals in three matches as Brazil won their first World Cup in style, beating both France and Sweden 5-2. All four home nations made the finals but only Wales and Northern Ireland reached the last eight.

STAR FACTOR

Pele, Didi, Garrincha, Mario Zagallo and Uwe Seeler were among the emerging talents to impress. Yet even Pele was outshone by French striker Just Fontaine. He scored a record 13 goals, profiting from his telepathic rapport with France’s playmaker – and 1958 Ballon d’or winner – Raymond Kopa.

Ivor Allchurch’s equaliser for Wales in their play-off against Hungary was spectacular and mysteriously unheralded. An instinctive flicked pass from John Charles found Allchurch, who volleyed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.

AGGRO

West Germany threatened to pull out of their semi against Sweden unless seats were found for their fans. The dispute was resolved but the animus spilled onto the pitch. The hosts won 3-1, equalising after a clear handball by Nils Liedholm. German defender Erich Juskowiak was sent off for kicking Kurt Hamrin, though Swedish left-half Sigge Parling stayed on after brutally fouling Fritz Walter.

THE THRILLERS

France’s swashbuckling campaign began with a 7-3 annihilation of Paraguay, with Fontaine (left), Kopa and Roger Piantoni running riot. They eventually lost 5-2 to Brazil in the last four, but bounced back to beat West Germany 6-3 in the third place play-off.

THE FINAL

Brazil 5-2 Sweden was a joyous conclusion. Despite going behind to a clever fourth-minute Liedholm goal, the Selecao played with such inventive brilliance that even home fans cheered them. Garrincha’s swerve set up two goals and Pele’s first strike was sublime: trapping a ball on his thigh, he hooked it over his head and then volleyed it in.

LEGACY

Brazil initially played an attacking 4-2-4 formation, but after England successfully man-marked Didi, Feola dropped Zagallo back slightly to protect Didi and Zito in midfield. In 1962, this had evolved into a 4-3-3 that became the template for Ajax, the Netherlands and Barcelona.