On June 28, 1958, the World Cup final took place at the Rasunda Stadium in Solna. The first finalist is Sweden, hosts, with the Italians Gustavsson, Hamrin, Gren, Simonsson, Liedholm and Skoglund. On the other there is Pelè, the new Black Pearl of World football, eight years after Maracanazo’s defeat against Uruguay.
Brazil becomes World Champion for the first timethanks to Pelè with seventeen goals. The brace fueled the myth, already present that year. The green and gold were the clear favorites, despite the excellent performances of the Scandinavians, in the quarter-finals in 1934, in the semi-finals in 1938 and in third place in 1950. In the semi-finals Sweden had beaten Germany 3-1, but Brazil’s lineup was a dream: Gilmar; Dyalma Santos, Bellini, Orlando, Nilton Santos; Zito, Didi; Garrincha, Vava, Pelé, Zagallo.
Brazil’s jersey was blue and green, after the coin gave fate (and Sweden) the yellow jerseys with blue shorts. No cheerleaders on the sidelines, at the request of the South Americans, because they would have created chromatic confusion. The start rewards the Swedes with the opening goal by Liedholm. However, it is a flash in the pan. Garrincha gives the assist for 1-1 to Vava. It is the beginning of a symphony, interrupted only by a rebound blocked by Zagallo on the line. Then Vava again to set the 2-1 of the first half. It was in the second half, in the eleventh minute, that one of the goals of the century arrived: Nilton Santos for Pelè who hooked, skipped over the defender with his sombrero and then sent it behind Svensson with his right foot. Perhaps this is where he became O’Rei. Zagallo then drops the poker, Gustavsson takes it to 4-2, but the exclamation point (and definitive) is still Pelè’s header. Captain Bellini lifted the Rimet Cup.