1958 FIFA World Cup Official Film

The 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

Remember the 1954 World Cup?

Remember what happened in Berne?

How Hungary lost in the final against all the odds,

and against the rank outsiders West Germany.

Fritz Walter, the West German captain,

receives the World Cup from Jules Rimet himself.

The World Cup was launched in 1930.

The first world champions were the first hosts, Uruguay.

In 1934 and 1938 it was Italy.

In 1950, Uruguay won the World Cup for a second time,

and in 1954, of course, West Germany.

The 1958 World Cup would revolve around three qualifying regions -

Latin America, the United Kingdom and Europe.

51 nations entered, but only 16 could compete at the finals.

In Central and South America, that meant Mexico,

who eliminated Canada, the United States and Costa Rica.

It meant Brazil, who overcame Peru to reach their sixth finals,

Paraguay, who beat Uruguay and Colombia,

and finally Argentina, who beat Bolivia and Chile.

Britain and Ireland provided no fewer than four finalists,

only a decade after the home countries returned to FIFA.

Scotland beat Spain and Switzerland in the qualifying round.

Northern Ireland beat double world champions Italy.

Wales emerged from the lucky losers draw,

to beat Israel for a place in the finals.

And lastly, England qualified,

despite the ravages of the Munich air disaster.

Continental Europe provided the majority of the finalists, including

the Soviet Union, who had entered the World Cup for the first time.

The Germans were seeded direct to the finals as holders,

without facing the challenge of a qualification round.

The finals were held in Sweden,

where 12 towns and cities waited expectantly to get

the show on the road.

All the formalities of the draw are over, and now,

the 1958 World Cup finals can begin.

The Swedish capital of Stockholm does not know quite what is going

to hit it in the next few weeks.

Its sedate old buildings and ordered traffic are about to be

infused with the passion of the world's greatest game.

On June 8th, the moment soccer has awaited for four years -

the opening match between Sweden and Mexico.

Graced by the presence of King Gustaf,

Antonio Carbajal, Mexico's goalkeeper captain,

introduces the king to his team-mates.

The Swedes seem as delighted to meet him as he is to meet them.

Mexico are impatient to start, and their excitement is

matched by the exuberance of their travelling fan club.

Carbajal Greets Sweden's captain Nils Liedholm.

At last, the finals are under way.

No defensive nonsense about Mexico, in the white shorts -

they attack right from the start.

Sweden launch their first attack through winger Lennart Skoglund,

who plays for Inter of Italy.

Mexico's fans are worried momentarily.

Then Mexico regain possession, with Flores controlling midfield.

Calderon outwits the Swedish defence,

and keeper Svensson is twice forced into desperate action.

"That's better," the Mexican fans think,

"They've got a nasty shock coming to them."

Kurt Hamrin of Fiorentina of Italy finds Liedholm who plays for Milan.

His cross picks out Skoglund,

and when he has teased the defender enough,

Agne Simonsson opens the scoring both in the match and in the finals.

The crowd celebrate, well, maybe not quite all.

The second half is all Sweden.

Hamrin puts on a juggling act and Simonsson heads over the bar.

It's pretty to watch.

Liedholm comes close with this drive which thunders just wide.

Now it's Hamrin, unmarked again, and this time brought down - penalty!

Soviet referee Latychev has no doubt.

Liedholm slides the kick home,

but the referee tells him to take it again.

This time, his shot flies low into the other corner.

Simonsson later makes it 3-0,

to make sure Sweden get off to a flying start.

Fans from abroad are flocking into Sweden by road and by ship.

The ports of Gothenburg

and Malmo are gateways to the best in world football.

Malmo plays host to the defending world champions West Germany.

Hans Schafer is the captain.

Goalkeeper - Herkenrath.

Right-half - Eckel.

Inside-left - Schmidt.

Left-half - Szymaniak.

Right winger - Rahn.

Fritz Walter.

Right-back - Stollenwerk.

Uwe Seeler.

Centre forward - Erhardt.

Rugged left-back - Juskowiak.

England's Reg Leafe is the referee.

The opposition comes from Argentina, champions of South America.

Argentina's best forwards have been sold to Europe,

but they still surprise the Germans, when right wing

Oreste Omar Corbatta shoots them ahead after only three minutes.

West Germany line up only four of the World Cup winning team of 1954.

When they attack, their first shot is provided by one of the new men,

the young centre forward from Hamburg named Uwe Seeler.

Argentina thrill the crowd

and worry the Germans with some typically spectacular football,

but the predominantly German crowd are brought to their feet only

when Rahn, the cup-winning hero of 1954 equalises.

For the next ten minutes, the outcome hangs in the balance.

Herkenrath punches clear and Germany attack.

Schafer finds space...

..and Seeler scores at the far post.

It's his first goal in internationals for his country.

Germany go in 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Argentina start the second half.

Nestor Rossi still plays attacking centre-half and for a few minutes,

these old-fashioned tactics catch the Germans off guard.

When Germany force a corner, Rossi is back in defence

and Schafer comes off worst in a clash of heads.

No substitutes, remember.

Though Germany are reduced to ten men, they keep up the attack.

Walter finds Rahn and his shot is saved by Argentina's famous

goalkeeper Carrizo.

Herkenrath does not look as secure under pressure,

but it's Germany who score the decisive next goal.

Carrizo is beaten by Rahn for the second time in the match.

Ten minutes to go and Germany are home and dry.

The fans think the journey worthwhile.

Manager Herberger knows there's still lots of work ahead.

Skipper Schafer is back to take this corner in the closing seconds.

Carrizo catches the ball, but Germany carry off the two points.

So, opening defeats for Mexico and Argentina -

Latin American football looks all at sea, but the provincial

town of Uddevall is about to see the picture change dramatically.

The new stadium is packed to its 21,000 capacity.

And the film crews are out in force as well.

Everyone wants to see the team who are acclaimed as

the new sensation of the New World - Brazil.

Austria are their opponents, captained by Gerhard Hanappi.

It is a classic meeting - South American technique

and finesse, against European craft and power.

In the 37th minute,

Brazil's midfield general Didi finds space on the left.

Centre forward Altafini also known as the nickname "Mazzola"

back home, shoots Brazil ahead.

Austria make a determined start to the second half.

Right wing Horak takes on the Brazil defence,

and Buzek's shot is acrobatically saved by Gilmar.

Austria throw everybody forward and are caught on the break.

Left-back Nilton Santos takes everyone by surprise as

he sprints up into attack to shoot past Szanwald.

That is 2-0 to Brazil.

Is this number three?

No, Dino Sani's cross is confidently caught by Szanwald.

He's never seen anything like this before,

as Brazil hold firm against renewed Austrian pressure.

Immediately, Brazil seek to extend their lead.

Full-back Nilton de Sordi charges up in attack,

but shoots, well, like a full-back.

Better leave these things to the real attackers.

Centre forward Altafini splits open the Austrian defence

and makes no mistake.

3-0 to Brazil.

There's plenty of action going on all over Sweden.

In Gothenburg, for example, England are the opposition

as the Soviet Union enter the World Cup finals for the first time ever.

England have patched a team together after the tragic deaths of

Manchester United's Duncan Edwards, Roger Byrne and Tommy Taylor.

England captain Billy Wright wins the toss.

The Soviets face them with a goalkeeper named Lev Yashin,

who is nicknamed "The Lion", and they set the game under way.

They score two in what is an unlucky 13th minute for England.

Simonyan is the scorer.

Early in the second half, Ivanov scores another.

England recover - Yashin looks more like a dancing bear than

a lion, as Derek Kevan pulls a goal back.

England look to their great veteran Tom Finney to save them.

The loose ball is stabbed home by Kevan, but referee

Zsolt of Hungary disallows the goal for a foul on Yashin.

Yashin carries on after treatment

and is soon back in the thick of the action.

When the Soviets attack,

it is the turn of England Colin McDonald to shine.

Time is running out, when England are awarded a penalty.

Finney slides the ball past Yashin.

At 2-2, both sides can claim an honourable draw.

Vasteras is another provincial centre falling under

the spell of the World Cup.

That is hardly surprising considering the quality

and excitement Yugoslavia and France are about to serve up

as they come face to face in Group 2.

France thrashed Paraguay 7-3 in their first match,

but Yugoslavia were held 1-1 by Scotland,

so this is a match the eastern Europeans must win.

A nearby tree provides an excellent vantage point as France go ahead

after only four minutes.

The scorer is Just Fontaine,

playing only because of injury to Rene Bliard,

but who scored a hat-trick previously against Paraguay.

France are not so impressive in defence.

Goalkeeper Remetter decides to go walkabout

and presents Milos Milutinovic with the equaliser.

Ironically, Milutinovic is top of the shopping list

of French club Racing Paris.

Here's Remetter under pressure again,

not that everybody in the crowd noticed.

He nearly misses the most important action as Yugoslavia take the lead.

Right winger Todor Veselinovic is the scorer this time.

France, built on the basis of the Reims European Cup final team,

press for an equaliser of their own.

Piantoni's free kick causes panic in the Slav defence.

Fontaine does eventually pop the ball in the net, but before the end,

Veselinovic strikes again - 3-2 to Yugoslavia is the final score.

That goal comes three minutes from time.

The French hangs their heads in dismay.

Yugoslavia, quarterfinalists is 1954, are now top of the group.

Sweden, as hosts,

benefit from playing all their first round games in Stockholm.

Their second match is against Hungary,

but not the Hungary of 1954.

Stars such as Puskas, Kocsis

and Czibor fled their country in the 1956 revolution.

This is an older, sadder Hungary.

Among the new players, Mate Fenyvesi is a promising left winger,

but much of his work goes to waste.

Instead, it is Sweden's star winger Hamrin who is the more potent force.

Skoglund, from the left,

provokes a chapter of errors in the Hungarian defence,

and Hamrin shoots past Grosics from close range.

Grosics is one of only two survivors from the 1954 team.

The other is the number five, right-half Jozsef Bozsik.

Back home, he is a member of parliament, here

he is his team's Prime Minister, directing attacking policy.

Sandor passes inside to Szojka.

Bozsik's pass is intercepted

and Lajos Tichy shoots against the bar.

Hungary claim a goal - referee Jack Mowat says no, no,

correctly giving the defence the benefit of the doubt.

And what a benefit -

Sweden catch the Hungarians wide open at the back

and Hamrin's shot ricochets beyond Grosics into the net.

Hungary are now 2-0 down, but keep battling away.

What Grosics and his men need is a little bit of luck,

and they get it when Sweden are awarded a penalty,

and Liedholm rolls his kick the wrong side of the post.

Grosics is in inspired mood, saving at point-blank range from Simonsson.

His fine form gives his team-mates new heart,

and Tichy strikes a magnificent consolation goal.

Sweden's victory however, ensures them

a place in the quarterfinals, with one group match still to play.

So to Gothenburg and the new Ullevi Stadium,

a modernistic masterpiece of concrete and steel.

This is a Group 4 match between the artists of Brazil

and the artisans of England.

The stadium is jam packed as Brazil kick off,

but England are first to launch a threatening attack.

In the end, it is the Brazilian captain Bellini who breaks up

the attack and sets his own forward line going.

Brazil are exciting all the experts with their new tactical formation.

Instead of the old WM, created before the war

by Herbert Chapman, Brazil line up in what is known as 4-2-4.

The fans remain disappointed however as neither side

can find a way to goal.

Didi, a great midfield general, controls the game in midfield,

but England know all about his passing skills.

Towards the end of the first half, Brazil eventually threaten a goal,

but England's goalkeeper Colin McDonald cannot be intimidated -

even when he is beaten,

there is Ronnie Clayton to clear the ball into touch.

England take an attacking turn of their own.

Haynes plays a one-two with Bryan Douglas, his shot catches

Gilmar by surprise and demands a save at second attempt.

The fans look in vain for someone to break the deadlock.

This draw is enough to send Brazil to the top of the group.

When Czechoslovakia face West Germany, Sweden's king is there

again to show that even he can't get enough of the superb football.

WHISTLE

The Czechs have promising young half-backs in Masopust and Pluskal.

German goalkeeper Herkenrath is soon reaching for his gloves to

help combat their attacking prowess.

When Germany attack,

Stollenwerk's high cross sends Dolejsi into a panic.

Fortunately for him, Walter's header clips the top of the bar.

Now it's Herkenrath's time to panic - he gives away a penalty.

Jan Popluhar converts the kick - 1-0 to Czechoslovakia.

The world champions are threatened by defeat.

Rahn, the old war horse attempts to shoot an instant equaliser.

His shot flies narrowly wide.

Now Czechoslovakia go further ahead -

Masopust's shot is punched away by Herkenrath,

and when the loose ball is pumped

back into the penalty box, there is Zikan to score.

But if there is one particular quality associated with

the Germans at the World Cup, it is fighting spirit -

they don't know when they are beaten.

Manager Herberger wills his men back into the game.

Czechoslovakia attack again, this time the Germans are ready for them.

It's a tough World Cup baptism for youngsters

such as Karl-Heinz Schnellinger.

West Germany kick off the second half.

They know they need an early goal, and they get one.

Rahn takes a corner on the right.

Up go the heads and when Dolejsi catches the ball,

he is charged over the line by Schafer.

Remarkably, referee Arthur Ellis gives the goal.

The photographers line up to catch Czech disappointment over

the decision made by the referee.

West Germany, encouraged, equalise through Rahn.

The German fans are delighted.

They demand more goals and nearly get them.

Czechoslovakia are running out of steam, but not the Germans.

Dolejsi saves from Rahn,

then grabs the ball just before Seeler can pounce.

The news goes around the world - the holders have lost their touch.

Rahn, missing at point-blank range, proves the point.

West Germany keep up the pressure, to no avail.

Bernie Klodt breaks down the left

but Seeler's diving header flies over the bar.

And that's how it finishes, in a 2-2 draw

with the West German machine apparently running down.

WHISTLE BLOWS

One point from that draw keeps West Germany on top of Group 1

and keeps Czechoslovakia at the bottom.

In Group 3 at Sandviken, the atmosphere is very different.

In fact, the Mexicans seem more interested

in perfecting their tennis than their soccer.

The Mexicans know they won't win the World Cup

so they intend to enjoy the trip as much as they can.

There's no way you could lock these Mexicans away

in a secluded training camp.

It just wouldn't be right.

Mexico's task is to try to pull themselves together

to take on the fading might of Hungary.

The match draws a 13,000 attendance,

including some colourfully dressed Latin American fans.

Referee Eriksson of Finland leads out the two teams.

Both Hungary and Mexico are in the same boat.

They must win to stand a chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

Mexico are in the light shirts, playing from left to right.

It seems as if they've all been playing too much tennis.

With 19 minutes gone,

Tichy finds right winger Sandor

and fires a return pass below Carbajal.

Early in the second half, Hungary score again through Tichy.

Then Laszlo Budai robs a defender in midfield

and when Tichy does the same in the penalty box,

he is forced wide of the goal.

Referee Eriksson awards Hungary an indirect free kick

and, from the touch, Sandor makes no mistake.

The Hungarian bench will soon have more to cheer.

Budai catches Mexico's defence at sixes and sevens

and inside forward Gonzalez

sees his clearance cannon off Carbajal and into the net.

Referee Eriksson, unsighted, checks with the linesman.

A goal it is.

Mexico, beaten 4-0, are out.

Hungary must now face Wales in a play-off

for a place in the quarterfinals.

At Eskilstuna, Latin America's representatives are Paraguay.

The kids can't wait to see their South American skill and technique

on display against Yugoslavia.

But the match has been running only 12 minutes

when Ognjanovic opens the scoring for Yugoslavia.

Paraguay refuse to be downcast,

though it takes a fine save from keeper Aguilar

to keep them in the game.

At the other end,

a goalmouth scramble ends in an equaliser from Parodi.

Both forward lines keep the defences busy,

but then Veselinovic catches out Aguilar

with a shot that creeps in at the near post.

Film companies are out in force,

but their cameras don't show Yugoslav keeper Beara

in his best light when Aguero equalises.

Rajkov restores Yugoslavia's lead,

but the best goal of all is reserved for Paraguay.

Parodi is the juggler - Romero, the scorer.

That same day, at Orebro,

free-scoring France play unhappy Scotland.

The Scots have lost both their matches,

but their fans are as optimistic as ever.

France rely on the scavenging of Fontaine

and the scheming of Raymond Kopa from Real Madrid.

They will soon wipe the smiles from the faces of the Scottish followers.

At first, the roles are reversed -

Fontaine makes the opening goal for Kopa.

Then, almost immediately, Scotland have a chance to hit back.

Sadly for them,

Charlton's John Hewie misses his penalty.

When goalkeeper Abbes is hurt in a scramble

after saving from Imlach,

tempers boil over.

Some in the crowd grow restless.

SHOUTING AND WHISTLING

Others climb higher in the trees for a better view.

France make the most of their escapes -

Roger Piantoni launches an attack down the left

and Fontaine shoots his pass beyond Bill Brown,

Scotland's new goalkeeper.

Into the second half, Piantoni tears Scotland apart again.

This time, Fontaine's shot ricochets away off the bar.

But he is still carried in triumph on the shoulders of the crowd

at the final whistle.

France are, after all, safely through to the quarterfinals.

Scotland finish bottom.

Back in Gothenburg, Brazil line up

against the Soviet Union.

Brazil have brought in three new players

following the goalless draw against England.

At the insistence of the players themselves,

manager Vicente Fiola

has brought in a bandy-legged right winger named Garrincha

and a 17-year-old inside left named Pele.

This is Garrincha -

he is about to take the Soviet defence in general,

and full-back Kuznetsov in particular, apart.

Only the post saves goalkeeper Yashin.

The Soviets launch a rare attack - goalkeeper Gilmar saves easily.

Brazil go ahead. Orlando provides the pass.

Centre forward Vava does the rest.

The Soviets are lucky to be only one down

as Brazil start the second half.

Inside right Didi is the master in midfield -

no wonder Spain's Real Madrid want to buy him.

Didi again - the Soviets look pedestrian by contrast.

Now he links up with Garrincha

and Vava makes it 2-0 with his own second goal of the game.

The Soviet defeat means that, this same day in Boras,

a victory for England over Austria

will take veteran skipper Billy Wright, Derek Kevan,

Bobby Robson and their team-mates into the quarterfinals.

Sweden's own hero, inside forward Gunnar Gren,

is there to spy out possible opposition.

Austria, who have made six changes after their defeat

by the Soviet Union on the same pitch,

have nothing to play for but pride.

The early exchanges keep the commentators busy,

but not the goalkeepers.

That is, until this unstoppable drive from Karl Koller

puts Austria into the lead.

England begin to grow desperate in the search for an equaliser.

Clayton, Kevan and Douglas all have shots blocked

in the Austrian goalmouth.

At half-time, it is still 1-0 to Austria.

England race back into the attack.

Haynes drives deep into the Austrian defence.

Kevan wins a ball in the air.

Goalkeeper Szanwald drops it

and Haynes shoots home the equaliser.

A Union Jack hangs defiantly from Colin McDonald's goal net,

but it brings him no luck.

Korner shoots through a crowded penalty box

and the ball flies in the net, off that very post.

Time is running out for England - defeat would put them

on the next boat or plane home.

Fortunately, Kevan scores a late equaliser

and England finish joint second on points,

facing a play-off against the Soviet Union

for a place in the quarterfinals.

The World Cup has taken Malmo by storm -

flags fly above civic buildings and main streets

and the shops are filled with World Cup souvenirs

on the day which can see West Germany

take a further, decisive step in defence of their crown.

Northern Ireland, appearing in the finals for the first time,

stand in their way.

King Gustav gives the match the royal seal of approval.

And Northern Ireland set play under way.

The Irish have a small squad

which has been further reduced by injury.

But as Seeler finds out,

Irish goalkeeper Harry Gregg is in a class of his own.

Not only that,

but Peter McParland is one of the best outside lefts in the finals.

He proves the point after 18 minutes

by shooting Northern Ireland into the lead

after goalkeeper Herkenrath misjudges a cross.

The lead lasts just two minutes.

The Irish defence is caught wide open

as Rahn chips an equaliser beyond Gregg and into the net.

But if the Germans think it's all over,

they're about to be surprised.

The Irish play with magnificent spirit and courage.

They have a little luck as Seeler shoots wide,

but they play their full part

in a game fit to be set before the king.

When Ireland attack,

Herkenrath makes up for his first-half blunder

with this save from McIlroy.

The World Cup holders didn't expect to find it this tough.

They look to veteran leader Fritz Walter for inspiration.

Somehow, he goes around the defence and centres.

One shot is blocked, and another.

And eventually, Gregg's bravery defies the Germans again.

Northern Ireland now take up the pace.

They force a corner on the right.

Cush takes it and McParland is unmarked

to put them into the lead.

The small contingent of Irish fans are ecstatic.

The crowd sense a sensation -

and so does the worried German Federation president.

Germany force a corner of their own.

Walter puts the ball into the net,

but Portuguese referee Campos has spotted a foul on Gregg.

No goal.

German manager Herberger rises from the bench in frustration.

In the end, it takes this terrific shot from Seeler

to break down the Irish defence.

The fans cheer in relief.

Most teams would be happy with a draw, but not the Irish.

They have scented victory once.

Now they press forward again.

Herkenrath punches clear. Szymaniak hooks the ball away.

At the other end, Walter tantalises the Irish defence.

Rahn is clear on the right,

but his dangerous centre presents no problems for the brilliant Gregg.

He looks the best goalkeeper in the finals.

WHISTLE BLOWS

At the final whistles, the teams congratulate each other

on the points shared.

The Germans have finished top of the group.

Czechoslovakia and Northern Ireland must play off.

The first round formalities are all over,

but in three of the four groups,

a play-off is needed between teams level on points

to decide who completes the quarterfinal line-up.

The Mexicans will not be there.

They are saying goodbye to their hosts.

For them, the World Cup is over.

With them go Argentina, Austria, Paraguay and Scotland.

One last wave to Sweden and to their dreams.

Now it's sudden death time for Hungary or Wales

in the Group 3 play-off in Stockholm.

Left winger Mate Fenyvesi tests out the Welsh defence.

Then Budai on the other wing has time and space

and Tichy shoots home his cross.

1-0 to Hungary.

Fewer than 3,000 fans see play switch

from one goalkeeper to another,

from Grosics to Kelsey.

And back again, as Ivor Allchurch equalises in the 55th minute.

The fans who have made the effort to turn out

are delighted to see the underdogs back in the game.

Budai's pass is cut out. Wales drive forward.

Terry Medwin scores the winner.

Wales, in the finals for the first time,

have reached the quarterfinals.

Hungary are finished.

In Malmo, Northern Ireland face Czechoslovakia again.

They do so without Harry Gregg. Their goalkeeping hero is injured.

Norman Uprichard, only half-fit himself,

has to step in...

..and is beaten after 19 minutes by this header from Zikan.

Just before half-time, Ireland hit back.

Cush has three shots blocked,

but McParland makes no mistake.

Just in time - one minute later comes the half-time whistle.

WHISTLE BLOWS

There are no more goals in the second half,

even though Uprichard further aggravates a knee injury.

No substitutes are allowed. He has to play on.

What had happened to Gregg?

The hero of Manchester United's Munich air crash

had taken such a battering in the previous three games

that they could not risk playing him.

Saves such as these

had taken the Irish to the brink of the quarterfinals,

but it cost Gregg plenty in bruises and pain.

Even a goalkeeper as outstanding as Gregg

cannot defy such an accumulation of injuries to shoulder and shin.

So Northern Ireland must keep the Czechs at bay,

with Gregg only a spectator.

He is not the only famous face in the crowd.

Fritz Walter and some of his German team are there, too.

Somehow, the Irish survive to take the match into extra time.

Amazingly, now the Irish find new heart.

The Czechs begin to wilt under the physical pressure

of four games in nine days.

McParland takes advantage to fire home the winner.

Northern Ireland's heroes salute the fans,

who give a standing ovation

to these unlikely but deserving World Cup quarterfinalists.

Even stand-in goalkeeper Uprichard is through the pain barrier now.

After Wales and Northern Ireland,

it is England's turn to play off for entry to the quarterfinals.

They face the Soviet Union in Gothenburg

and the Soviet goal leads a charmed life.

Twice, Yashin is helpless as England's new right winger,

Peter Brabrook, hits the post.

When the Chelsea man does get the ball in the net,

the goal is disallowed for handball.

Somehow, the Soviets survive

and start to build their own attacks.

After 69 minutes, Ilyin's shot ricochets off a post.

The Soviets and their reserves celebrate.

England are out.

The quarterfinal line-up looks like this. All the matches on June 19th.

With Gothenburg the setting for little Wales

to take on the might of the exciting Brazilians.

SAMBA MUSIC

In the past, Brazil have failed to get the best

out of their brilliant individuals such as goalkeeper Gilmar.

Now they have added managerial organisation and tactical

know-how to their talent, it is proving a potent mixture.

Midfield master Didi relaxes with a game of darts.

So does Pele, but the boy wonder tries a variation on the theme.

The Brazilians are relaxed but confident.

Nothing is left to chance.

Americo, the masseur, is kept busy keeping aches and strains at bay.

Nobody wants to risk missing his chance of making history as Brazil

bid to become the first nation

to win the World Cup on the wrong continent.

The Brazilians even take their own chefs and food with them.

The right diet is as important as the right players

and the right tactics.

The 26,000 crowd turns out at the Ullevi stadium.

Brazil are without the injured Zito and Vava.

Zozimo partners Didi in midfield.

Altafini, the centre forward nicknamed Mazzola after the Italian

star of the 1940s, partners Pele in the centre of attack.

Wales star John Charles has to sit alongside manager

Jimmy Murphy on the bench.

His injury is a big blow for Welsh hopes of an upset.

Wales attack only occasionally. Medwin cuts inside and shoots.

Gilmar saves.

At the other end, it is Jack Kelsey against the explosive Garrincha.

Back home in Brazil, the nation is at a standstill

listening to the commentary from Sweden.

Excitement is mounting as Brazil hit the bar. A goal is imminent.

Scored cheekily by Pele.

The Brazilians all follow the Santos star into the net.

So do the photographers.

Brazil are in the semifinals.

As a tribute to the crowd in Gothenburg

they parade the Swedish flag around the ground on a lap of honour.

Sweden, meanwhile, have a challenge of their own

against the Soviet Union in the Solna stadium in Stockholm.

The Swedes have summoned up cheerleaders to encourage

the normally reticent local fans to get behind their team.

A wall of sound greets the two sides.

Liedholm and Simonyan, two of the world's finest players,

exchange greetings as captains and Sweden kick-off.

The Soviet team looked tired.

It is the after-effects of their extra match against England.

They are also without their injured captain and left half Igor Netto.

Fortunately, Yashin is there

but in midfield the Soviets just aren't stringing passes together.

That suits Sweden who keep up the pressure throughout the first half.

And force another fine save from Yashin.

Surprisingly,

the Soviets are still on level terms for the start of the second half.

That doesn't last.

Svensson, Sweden's goalkeeper, takes a long goal kick.

Simonsson seizes possession.

Then it is Hamrin who gets a lucky rebound to open the scoring.

Now the Soviets must attack. The match becomes scrappy.

Sweden go in search of a second goal to make sure of victory.

Skoglund teases and torments his full-back

but that second goal won't come.

With time running out, the Soviets storm back into attack.

Salnikov's shot is cleared off the goal-line by Gustavsson.

Sweden immediately race away. They catch the Soviet defence wide open.

Simonsson scores the goal which sends Sweden into the semifinals.

CHEERING

Norrkoping welcomes the World Cup with flowers.

The sunshine setting is ideal for a showdown between the elegance

of France and the enthusiasm of Northern Ireland.

Norrkoping is a vibrant city which builds

the passions of today on the foundations of a great history.

It is to this port that fans from all over the world are turning

as the World Cup edges closer to its climax.

From Norrkoping, Sweden exports paper to the world.

And from that paper come the newspapers which keep up

the steady flow of information about this greatest of soccer contests.

The games, the goals and the glory.

In the shop windows,

sporting achievements stand side-by-side with national history.

The Irish prepare for the biggest game of their lives.

They also know that just reaching the quarterfinals

has been a great achievement

for one of Europe's smallest soccer strongholds.

Skipper Danny Blanchflower sets the example in training for his men.

Blanchflower plays for Tottenham Hotspur.

Indeed, almost the entire Irish squad

is drawn from the ranks of the English Football League.

Here come the French, led by their top scorer Fontaine.

The referee is a Spaniard, Gardeazabal.

France win the toss, Northern Ireland kick-off.

France, playing from right to left, are quickly into their stride.

Vincent breaks through on the left

but fit-again Harry Gregg is equal to the challenge.

The Irish goal leads a charmed life but only until the 43rd minute

when France take the lead through the right winger Wisnieski.

The effort of going to extra time in the play-off

against Czechoslovakia has taken its toll on Irish legs.

As the rain starts to fall, so Kopa engineers a gap

and Fontaine scores the first of his two goals in the match.

It looks like the end for Northern Ireland.

Kopa is outstanding

as he works ceaselessly to open up the Irish defence.

Again Kopa is the creator as Piantoni makes it 4-0.

France too are in the semifinals. The brave Irish are beaten at last.

Yugoslavia, semifinalists in the first finals in 1930,

want to be there again.

Holders West Germany aim to stop them

in the last quarterfinal in Malmo.

With Helmut Rahn in his cup-winning form of 1954,

West Germany look much sharper than in the previous outings.

Repeatedly, they threaten the Yugoslav's new goalkeeper Krivokuca.

In all of this,

there isn't a lot for Herkenrath to do in the German goal.

After 12 minutes, the only goal.

Rahn escapes on the right

and finds an impossible gap between Krivokuca and the near post.

1-0 to West Germany.

CHEERING

The Yugoslavs can't believe it.

No-one will believe Fritz Walter is now 38

as he searches for another goal.

Herberger checks his watch.

Yugoslavia force a corner but they can't force a way through.

Uwe Seeler brings West Germany back onto the attack.

It's all good news going back to Hamburg, Munich,

Cologne, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.

Yugoslavia have no more answers in the second half

despite the probings of their midfield general Vujadin Boskov

and outside left Rajkov.

Germany respond. Schafer hits the post.

Rahn hits the bar.

Seeler glances a header narrowly wide.

WHISTLE BLOWS

West Germany complete the semifinal line-up.

Walter accepts the congratulations.

His men celebrate one further step down the road which Walter hopes

will lead them to Stockholm.

This is the calm before the storm in Sweden's capital.

In the parks and the restaurants and cafes all the talk is of football

and, of course, most of all in the offices of the Swedish Federation.

Playing host to the World Cup is a vast undertaking.

Organising the football is just one facet of the work.

There are hotels to book, travel arrangements to make,

tickets to organise, the press to please.

The men in charge work a 20 hour day.

They are always on call,

responsible for matches in every venue throughout the country.

At last, all that work is nearing its conclusion.

This is the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg.

Hosts Sweden or holders West Germany will end the day

celebrating their place in the final or preparing

sadly for a walk-on part in the third-place play-off.

The stadium fills up hours before the kick-off.

The cheerleaders are there again to whip the Swedish fans into a frenzy.

For once, the travelling Germans are outnumbered.

Sweden field the team who beat the Soviets.

West Germany bring in Cieslarczyk in attack for Schmidt.

Referee is the Hungarian opera director Istvan Zsolt.

Matching two powerful northern European sides means fast,

direct, aggressive football.

Herkenrath dives to save from Liedholm

and then dives at Simonsson's feet to grab the ball a second time.

At the other end, Germany claim a penalty

when Rahn tumbles in the penalty box.

The referee Zsolt waves play on.

But Rahn takes his revenge as Seeler provides the cross for Schafer

to convert for the opening goal.

Germany press forward again with Walter in the thick of the action.

He opens up the way to goal but Seeler shoots over the bar.

It's a costly miss.

Sweden hit back and Skoglund drives the equaliser inside the far post.

The cheers might almost be heard back in Stockholm.

The second half will prove decisive, fatally so for West Germany.

Right-winger Hamrin is a thorn in their side.

Tempers start to flare.

In the 58th minute, Hamrin is badly fouled by left back Erich Juskowiak.

The two men scuffle on the ground and Juskowiak is sent off.

The German bench is horrified. Zsolt has no doubt.

Juskowiak takes West Germany's chance of retaining the World Cup with him.

Although reduced to 10 men,

the Germans still keep Swedish goalkeeper Svensson busy.

But when Walter has to be carried off

after a crunching tackle by Parling, the writing is on the wall.

Herberger and assistant Helmut Schon

shout instructions from the touchline

but the Swedes are unstoppable. Skoglund leads the attack.

Veteran Gunnar Gren strikes his shot with such power

that it rebounds from the stanchion inside the goal.

A minute from the end, Hamrin scores a cheeky third goal

for the hosts Sweden.

For the first time, and in front of their own delirious fans,

they've reached the World Cup final.

Germany's reign is over.

For the first time in these finals,

concern builds up about the players' reaction under pressure.

The incident between Hamrin

and Juskowiak will just add to the intensity of the debate.

These finals have borne witness to some less savoury moments.

An appeal is launched for fair play as France

and Brazil emerge from the shadows of the Solna stadium in Stockholm.

These are the two best footballing teams in the finals.

Brazil are now World Cup favourites.

French top scorer Fontaine

finds Nilton Santos a wily marker at one end.

As Vava shoots Brazil ahead at the other.

France refuse to buckle under the pressure.

The partnership of Kopa and Fontaine conjures up an equaliser.

The Swedish fans are simultaneously listening to radio commentary

on the other semifinal when Garrincha provides Didi

with the chance to shoot Brazil back into the lead.

Brazil have the advantage, not only in goals but in men.

French centre back Robert Jonquet was reduced to the status

of a limping passenger shortly before Didi's goal.

The French are thus disorganised at the back

and present Pele with a simple third goal.

It's exhibition stuff now from Brazil

as Garrincha slices deep into French territory.

Pele juggles with the ball and Vava slams home number four.

Garrincha again twisting the French defence this way and that.

Didi pulls down his cross and Pele collects goal number five.

Kopa, surely Europe's top footballer now,

refuses to concede defeat and the Reims inside forward Roger Piantoni

scores a second consolation goal

to give the French fans something to shout about.

But the day belongs to Brazil.

Four days later,

the World Cup caravan finds itself back in Gothenburg

where Kopa and his team-mates enchant the local children.

Now it's back to the serious business of playing football

and playing deposed World Cup holders West Germany

in the third-place match.

France without the injured Jonquet and Piantoni.

West Germany make six changes and give a game to Kwiatkowski,

their reserve goalkeeper.

By the end, he may have wished manager Herberger hadn't bothered.

Almost immediately, Kelbassa gets the ball into the French net.

The Argentinian referee Juan Brozzi has spotted a foul.

The goal doesn't count.

This one does at the other end though.

The scorer is the inevitable Fontaine.

The Germans take only two minutes to recover.

Cieslarczyk wiggles through to shoot past Abbes

and this time the goal stands.

France storm back. Newcomer Yvon Douis is brought down by Erhardt.

Penalty.

Kwiatkowski dives the right way

but Kopa's penalty kick is just beyond his reach.

Kopa creates problems even with his corners.

Kwiatkowski can't hold the ball.

The full-back shoots.

The German defence is at sixes and sevens and Fontaine shoots home.

France thus hold a 3-1 half-time lead

courtesy of a couple of sharp saves from Abbes.

The Germans start the second half with some neat inter-passing.

But as soon as the move breaks down, France are off again.

This time it is Douis who gets his name on the scoresheet.

Rahn, playing in what surely must be his last World Cup,

scores another of those typical goals from impossible angles.

But as the Germans throw men forward,

they are exposed at the back.

Fontaine scores again for France.

And Schafer pulls one more back for West Germany.

Even then, it is not all over.

Fontaine runs through all alone to make it 6-3 to France.

It's Fontaine's fourth goal of the match

and his 13th goal of the finals.

A record which surely may never be beaten.

France claim the honour of third place in the 1958 World Cup.

But that, of course, was a comparative sideshow.

The one match which has dominated football talk

everywhere in the world and above all in Sweden is the one which

will be staged here in Stockholm in the Solna stadium on June 29th.

It is the climax of four years of football.

It is the 1958 World Cup final.

There are souvenirs with the petrol, souvenirs for the children,

flags and posters in the shops and hotels.

There are even special World Cup postage stamps,

magazines...

..matches.

Swedish star Gunnar Gren jumps on the bandwagon with the timely launch

of his autobiography. It is entitled Professor Of Football.

All Sweden waits to see

if he has the magic formula to cope with Brazil.

His team-mates relax before the final in a variety of ways.

Croquet on the hotel lawn is one favourite,

as long as it is played with a football, of course.

Then there is a boat trip for flying wingers Hamrin and Skoglund

and their team-mates.

They sent a message promising their English manager

George Raynor that they will be back by Sunday.

In the stadium itself, the camera crews are already taking up

their positions to send pictures around the world.

Cars, taxis, special buses,

even bicycles flood in from all over Sweden.

This is the game everyone wants to see,

the most important match in the nation's history.

One hour to the match

and the Swedish team arrive looking calm and relaxed and confident.

The cheerleaders are, this time, escorted away

but the Stockholm fans need little encouragement

as the two teams take the field despite the threat of rain.

Liedholm leads out Sweden, Bellini leads out Brazil.

The teams sensibly keep their muscles active

during the lengthy formalities.

Referee is Frenchman Marcel Guigue.

He blows one short sharp blast of his whistle

and the World Cup final is under way.

Sweden have the hosts built-in advantage of the crowd behind them

but Brazil are the neutral's favourites.

Sweden are unchanged for the second successive match, Brazil have

surprisingly left out right back De Sordi

in favour of the 1954 veteran Djalma Santos.

A change specifically aimed at reducing the threat

posed by Swedish left-winger Skoglund.

Sweden seize control of the early minutes,

looking for a potentially decisive early goal.

They think this may upset the temperament

of the highly strung South Americans.

Didi cleverly keeps possession for Brazil.

So does Pele, the youngest player ever seen in a World Cup final.

Pele has the confidence and command of a veteran.

But it is a real veteran, Sweden's Liedholm,

who achieves the breakthrough with this opening goal.

CHEERING

Will Brazil crack?

It doesn't look like it as Didi feeds Garrincha

and he blasts his shot into the side netting.

Sweden's fans have a right to be worried.

Garrincha again.

Past his man once more, crosses

and Vava shoots the equaliser past Svensson from point-blank range.

Just watch the accelerations of this man Garrincha as he leaves

the defence for dead and sets up the chance.

Garrincha is a sheer force of nature.

Only a post denies him a goal of his own.

So he turns creator. Vava is again in place to stab the ball home.

Brazil, far from being broken, are 2-1 ahead at half-time.

The second-half presents Sweden with an uphill task.

Does Professor Gren have the formula for a revival?

He finds Simonsson

but the centre forward has no space in which to work.

Brazil start to turn on the tricks.

Djalma Santos finds Garrincha.

His cross is half cleared.

Zagallo pops the ball back in and Pele's teenage genius does the rest.

CHEERING

Even the Swedes can't help but appreciate being beaten like this.

Garrincha forces Svensson to concede a corner.

Zagallo takes it. Sweden fail to clear

so Zagallo comes back into the frame to score Brazil's fourth.

Sweden keep trying to play.

Bergmark, their fine right back, leads this attack.

Skoglund, a shadow of himself today,

finds a rare few inches of space and Simonsson shoots home.

Sweden cheer.

But Brazil still lead 4-2.

Garrincha hasn't finished yet.

This incident looks worth a penalty but Sweden escape.

Vava takes a breather

and a shower just to give masseur Americo something to do.

Manager Feola calls for his men to give him another goal.

Instantly they oblige.

Zagallo from outside left provides the cross

and Pele heads beyond poor Svensson.

The new world champions have won 5-2.

Sweden know they have been beaten not only by a better team

but by one of the great teams of football history.

For two-goal Pele, the emotion of the moment is just too much.

No doubt we'll see him again.

As the teams line up for the anthems,

even veteran keeper Gilmar is overcome.

All smiles now as Brazil salute the Swedish crowd.

And the Swedish king salutes the new kings of world soccer.

Skipper Belini receives the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Brazil are on top of the world.