Today in History—June 29: Brazil’s First World Cup Title

Written by

Tushaar Kuthiala

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

It had been eight years since Brazil suffered the national trauma known as El Maracanazo, its shocking loss to Uruguay at the 1950 World Cup final. On June 29, 1958, on a cool Sunday afternoon in Sweden, Brazil laid those ghosts to rest in Stockholm’s Råsunda Stadium.

The Brazilian players were forced to wear blue that day instead of their signature canary yellow because of a jersey clash with the host country, but they entered the final as the tournament favorite.

They suffered an early shock when Sweden’s captain, Nils Liedholm, scored after just four minutes. The home team’s lead didn’t last, however, as Brazilian star Vavá scored twice in the first half. Brazil was clearly the attacking team, with most of the action happening on Sweden’s half of the pitch.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

The crowd was soon transfixed by 17-year-old sensation Pelé, who, fresh from tallying a hat trick in the semifinal against France, scored a spectacular solo goal in the 55th minute. In what would become one of the most famed goals in World Cup history, the teen prodigy received a pass inside the penalty area, chipped the ball into the air, sidestepped a rushing defender, and volleyed the descending ball into the net.

Fun Fact

This match remains the only time a South American team won the tournament on European soil.

In doing so, Pelé became the youngest player to score in a World Cup final, a record that still stands.

Brazil’s Mário Zagallo added a fourth goal before Sweden’s Agne Simonsson pulled one back. Pelé then scored again in the final minute of the match, which ended in a 5–2 victory and set the record for the highest-scoring World Cup final. That record also still stands.

After that, Brazil went from strength to strength. The team sealed a decade of dominance—with Pelé at its center—by defending its title in 1962 and winning a third World Cup in 1970. Two more titles (in 1994 and 2002) made Brazil the most successful country in the history of the tournament. But for many Brazilian fans, it all began in Sweden in 1958, when a 17-year-old announced himself to the world.

Related Links

By the Numbers