Sweden 1958
A football legend was born at the World Cup in 1958 along with the legend of Brazil. 17-year old Pele and Brazil took every one by storm. Pele was only introduced in the last group match along with another legend, Garrincha. Pele scored his first against Wales in the quarter-finals. While Brazil were basking in glory, the Swedes and French were enjoying good run outs as well. The Swedes welcomed back star players Gunnar Gren and Nils Liedholm. For France Just Fontaine couldn’t stop scoring; he bagged 13 in the tournament –a record till date. France met Brazil and after a close battle early on when Fontaine equalised Vava’s opener for Brazil; the French were swept aside 5-2 by a Pele hat-trick. Hosts Sweden met Brazil in the final after beating West Germany 3-1 in the semis. Brazil beat Sweden by the same score line with braces for Pele and Vava and one for Mario Zagallo to finally land the coveted Jules Rimet trophy.
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Winners: Brazil
Runners-Up: Sweden
Golden Boot: Just Fontaine (Fra)