1962

Host nation: Chile Games: 32 Goals: 89 (2.78 per match) Dismissals: 6 Venues: 4 Winners: Brazil Top scorers: Garrincha, Vava, Leonel Sanchez, Florian Albert, Valentin Ivanov, Drazan Jerkovic (4 goals)

The 1962 World Cup was no goalfest – the goals per game figure fell to 2.78 – but it had plenty of drama. The infamous ‘Battle of Santiago’ between hosts Chile and Italy typified the brutality that prompted FIFA to threaten to expel teams. Yet Brazil were a delight, even with Pele sidelined through injury. The outstanding players on display included Czechoslovakia playmaker Josef Masopust, elegant Hungarian striker Florian Albert, a young wing-half by the name of Bobby Moore and Soviet goalscorer Valentin Ivanov.

STAR FACTOR

Even without Pele, Brazil still boasted Garrincha, Vava and Amarildo in a devastating forward line. Unfazed by the responsibility of stepping in for the world’s greatest player, 24-year-old Amarildo (right) scored both goals in a 2-1 group-stage victory against Spain and swung the final Brazil’s way, too.

WONDER GOALS

Garrincha’s second goal against England in the last eight was a thing of beauty. Collecting the ball just outside the D of England’s 18-yard box, the Little Bird arrowed his shot between a trio of defenders and beyond goalkeeper Ron Springett.

AGGRO

“The police are being called on, or is it the Army?” BBC commentator David Coleman could hardly keep up with the chaos (below) as Chile beat Italy 2-0 in the group-stage Battle of Santiago. Italians Giorgio Ferrini and Mario David were sent off for retaliation, with police having to escort Ferrini off the pitch. In contrast, Chilean midfielder Leonel Sanchez wasn’t even booked for punching David and then breaking Humberto Maschio’s nose with a left hook.

THE THRILLERS

Three-nil down after 11 minutes – and 4-1 down after 56 minutes – Colombia fought back to draw 4-4 with the Soviet Union in the group stage, earning their first World Cup point.

THE FINAL

Brazil retained the trophy after a final distinguished by the genius of Amarildo and Masopust, not to mention the incompetence of keeper Viliam Schrojf. Masopust handed Czechoslovakia an unexpected lead but Amarildo soon equalised, shooting past Schrojf from a ridiculous angle before creating a goal for Zito with a brilliant turn and cross. Nine minutes later, Vava made it 3-1 after the hapless shot-stopper fumbled a looping cross into his path.

LEGACY

Departing England manager Walter Winterbottom’s insistence that his successor must pick his own team – without interference from a selection committee – paved the way for England’s glory in 1966.