Fifa World Cup 1958 - Host Nation Sweden

It was Sweden who hosted the 1958 World cup finals and Pele made his entrance on the World stage. It was a great tournament with the 16 teams who qualified who were split into four groups as in 1954, but now all the teams in the group played one another. The top two of each group progressed to the quarter finals, and from then on it was knock-out competition.

England were drawn with Brazil, Russia and Austria. Brazil brought Pele into the side after their match against England which ended 0-0. An interesting fact to note on that match was the first ever goalless draw in a World Cup match.

Brazil were the clear favourites to win the World Cup and they played a very attacking game which was soon copied by the World over.

France were the leading scorers with 11 goals in the group stage and qualified easily for the quarterfinals. Host nation Sweden qualified as did Wales from their group. Amazingly all the British home countries made it to the World Cup but only Northern Ireland and Wales made it to the quarter finals, with both England and Scotland heading home early.

It was only a matter of time and Pele was about to put down a marker scoring his first ever World Cup goal against the brave Welsh as in the quarterfinals Brazil beat Wales by a single goal.

The last few games of the 1958 World Cup was full of thrills and goals the last four games in the cup producing 27 goals. Sweden beat West Germany in a tight semi final match. Brazil ended France's run with Pelé scoring a great hat-trick in the 5-2 win. Pelé and Brazil went on to beat the hosts in the final by 5-2.