The 1958 World Cup is the sixth in history. Passed in Sweden, which hosted guests for the first time. The number of teams participating in the draw is sixteen.
Host selection
For the venue of the World Cup, not only Sweden fought, but also Argentina, Chile and Mexico. In general, according to the regulations, this competition was to be held in another country. According to the FIFA rule, the parts of the world in which the World Cup is held must alternate. The choice fell on Sweden only for political reasons, since the country maintained neutrality during the Second World War. The president of FIFA, who was granted the right to open the 1958 World Cup, was the Englishman Arthur Drury.
Selection
Fifty-three countries applied to participate in the tournament. The selection was carried out according to the updated scheme. Eleven trips were divided between the teams of Europe. Sweden (as hosts) and Germany (as reigning world champions) got places in the final part automatically. The remaining nine invitations were drawn among twenty-seven countries, which were divided into groups.
The 1958 World Cup was the first serious international competition for the USSR. Soviet football players had to meet with formidable rivals in the qualifying matches - the national team of Poland and Finland. A stubborn struggle was waged in the group, but the USSR team was able to break into the final stage.
There were few surprises during the selection. The surprise for many was only the loss of the formidable national teams of Italy and Uruguay.
Three teams from Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina were selected from South America for the 1958 World Cup. From Central - Mexico.
It is worth saying a few words about the players of the USSR national team. The team included one of the most famous football players of that time - Eduard Streltsov. The player’s career developed sparklingly and very briskly. The footballer was supposed to go to the World Cup, but shortly before that, a rape case was opened against him. The case was very confusing and with many non-dockings. Nevertheless, Streltsov was sent to prison for twelve years and missed the best years of his career.
Group stage
June 8 is the date the 1958 World Cup began. Some national teams had footballers who subsequently became discoveries of all world football. All sixteen teams were divided into four groups.
First group
For the opportunity to play in the quarter finals in this group, the teams of Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Northern Ireland faced. The players of Germany were the most convincing, having scored four points, they got the opportunity to reach the finals of the 1958 World Cup. The second place was hardly obtained in an additional match between the teams of Northern Ireland and Czechoslovakia. The first were more stubborn and won with a minimum margin.
Second group
The second group included the teams of Paraguay, France, Scotland and Yugoslavia. The strongest were the teams of France and Yugoslavia, who scored four points and continued to participate in the tournament.
Third group
This group included the hostess of the championship - Sweden, as well as Wales, Hungary and Mexico. The 1958 FIFA World Cup continued to conquer Sweden and the Welsh team, which was able to overpower the Hungarians in an additional match.
Fourth group
The USSR had a very strong set of players. Despite the absence of Streltsov, the team had many experienced players. The group of the Soviet team was very strong and difficult. England, Brazil and Austria are the rivals of the USSR. Together with the English, the domestic team scored the same number of points and spent an additional match under the rules. Thanks to a single goal, the USSR managed to get into the next stage of the tournament from second place. The first team took Brazil.
Quarter final
- In the quarterfinal of the USSR national team was to meet with Sweden. The first half went without a single goal, but in the second the Swedes were able to get the upper hand and score two goals. The Soviet team went home, and soon the coach was dismissed due to such results.
- The Brazilian national team was able to modestly beat Wales. I managed to score a football player who was then only seventeen years old. Subsequently, during his career, he managed to score more than one thousand goals and raised more than one trophy over his head. His name is Pele.
- France rivals went to Northern Ireland. The Irish were unable to oppose anything, and were defeated.
- The last pair is Germany-Yugoslavia. Only with a minimal score did the Germans manage to get into the semifinals.
Semifinal
In the last step from the final, the hosts and the current world champions met, both teams showed excellent football. 1958 - the finals of the World Cup, which was to be held on June 29, were seen by many with the participation of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Germans led in the first half, but could not hold the game the whole match and, having missed three goals, played the third place.
In a parallel match, the teams of Brazil and France met. The beginning of the game was laid by the exchange of quick balls. Soon, the Brazilian Didi was able to bring his team forward. In the second half, Pele's benefit happened, which in less than thirty minutes was able to make a hat-trick and brought his team to the finals.
Third place
The match for third place was held between France and Germany. The game is the most productive in the championship. In total, the teams scored nine goals, and France won with a score of 6: 3.
The final
The final match took place between the hosts of the championship and Brazil. It was the Swedes who were the first to seize the initiative, having scored in the fourth minute. The joy of the team was very soon overshadowed. The Brazilians managed to equalize, and the doubles Pele and Vava put an end to. The players of the Brazilian national team won the World Cup for the first time, and the Swedes lost the second time in the final.