On this day: Pele, Brazil tasted first World Cup final victory

Little was known that the 17-year-old would later go on to become Brazil's footballing icon

KARACHI: On June 29, 1958, Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 at the Rasunda Stadium in Solna to win its first World Cup. Brazil, who came into the tournament as favourites, exhibited a thrilling performance, which later came to known as the “beautiful game”.

The tournament in Sweden gave rise to the career of 17-year-old undersized midfielder named Edson Arondes do Nascimento, also commonly known as Pele.

Son of a professional footballer, Pele was initially discouraged by his mother to play the sport due to his father’s financial struggles as career football player. However, at the age of 14, he was discovered by de Brito, a former Brazilian team member, who took the young scorer under his wing.



Pele earned his first cap with the national team at 16 and made his debut on the international stage at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden at 17. In the tournament, Pele did not make an appearance until Brazil’s third group match against the Soviet Union, in which he set up a goal for Vava.

Subsequently, he scored his first goal in the quarter-final against Wales, which was the only goal of the match. However, it was in the semi-final against France, in which Pele made a name for himself. Pele’s hat-trick against France left the opposition dumbfounded at their inability to contain a 17-year-old.



And like icing on a cake, Brazil claimed the Jules Rimet Trophy when Pele and Vava scored two goals each in the final against hosts Sweden.

Brazil later went on to win the World Cup again in 1962 in Santiago, Chile and hold the record claiming the World Champions title five times.

In 1999, the International Olympic Committee honoured Pele along with 10 others as one of the best athletes of the century.

Earlier this month, a three-day sale of Pele’s memorabilia in London generated a total of £3.4million.