1958 FIFA World Cup final

Swedish forward Hamrin (7) attempts to score in the final
Event	1958 FIFA World Cup
Brazil Sweden 5 2
Date	29 June 1958
Venue	Råsunda Stadium, Solna
Referee	Maurice Guigue (France)
Attendance	49,737[1]
← 1954 1962 →

The 1958 FIFA World Cup final took place in Råsunda Stadium, Solna (near Stockholm), Sweden, on 29 June 1958 to determine the champion of the 1958 FIFA World Cup.^[2] Brazil won the World Cup by defeating Sweden, the host country, and thus won their first World Cup title. Despite losing, the game remains Sweden’s best ever World Cup finish.

The 1958 final holds the record for most goals scored in a World Cup Final, and it shares the record for the greatest winning margin (with the 1970 and 1998 tournaments). The records for both the youngest and oldest goalscorer in a World Cup final were set in this match by Pelé (17 years and 249 days) and Nils Liedholm (35 years, 263 days) respectively.^[3] The final also marked several firsts: It was the first final to be disputed between a European team and a team from the Americas. Sweden became the first, and so far, only host to lose a World Cup Final (the Maracanazo of 1950 was the decisive match of the tournament, but was not a 'Final', because Sweden v Spain was played simultaneously). Their loss also meant that for the first and only time a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European nation.

The last survivor on Brazil's side was Mário Zagallo, who died on 5 January 2024 at the age of 92.^[4] This now leaves Sweden's Kurt Hamrin as the last survivor of the game.

Match

Background

Since both teams wore a yellow kit as their first choice, a draw was arranged in order to decide which team would use its regular strip. Brazil boycotted the draw, thus making Sweden winner, and forcing Brazil to find another color to wear. Initially, Brazil was going to wear white, but this idea was rejected when the players were visibly frightened by the idea, recalling their loss in 1950.^[5] Eventually the staff went on to buy 22 blue T-shirts and sewed the Brazilian emblem.^[6]

Summary

Sweden took the lead after only 4 minutes after an excellent finish by captain Nils Liedholm. The lead did not last long, as Vavá equalised just 5 minutes later. On 32 minutes, Vavá scored a similar goal to his first to give Brazil a lead 2–1 at the break. 10 minutes into the second half, Brazil went further in front thanks to a brilliant goal scored by Pelé.^[7] He took control of the ball inside the penalty area, chipped the ball over the defender then smashed it past a helpless Kalle Svensson. Halfway through the second half Brazil went 4–1 up with a goal scored by Mário Zagallo. Simonsson pulled one back for Sweden with 10 minutes remaining but it was far too late.^[2] Pelé sealed the 5–2 victory for Brazil with a headed goal in stoppage time.

Details

29 June 1958

15:00 (CET)

Brazil	5–2	Sweden
Vavá 9', 32' Pelé 55', 90' Zagallo 68'	Report	Liedholm 4' Simonsson 80'

Råsunda Stadium, Solna

Attendance: 49,737

Referee: Maurice Guigue (France)

Brazil

Sweden

GK 3 Gilmar RB 4 Djalma Santos CB 15 Orlando CB 2 Hilderaldo Bellini (c) LB 12 Nílton Santos RH 19 Zito LH 6 Didi OR 11 Garrincha OL 7 Mário Zagallo CF 20 Vavá CF 10 Pelé Manager: Vicente Feola

GK 1 Kalle Svensson RB 2 Orvar Bergmark CB 6 Sigge Parling CB 14 Bengt Gustavsson LB 3 Sven Axbom CH 15 Reino Börjesson OR 7 Kurt Hamrin IR 8 Gunnar Gren CF 9 Agne Simonsson IL 4 Nils Liedholm (c) OL 11 Lennart Skoglund Manager: George Raynor