FIFA World Cup 1958 Group 4

FIFA World Cup 1958 poster England faced a tough group that included a very talented Brazil with the 17 year old Pelé making his World Cup debut, the reigning Olympic Champions, USSR and Austria, who had finished third in the 1954 tournament. Having not conceded a goal, Brazil finished top of the group with an infinite goal average. The Soviet Union eventually knocked England out in a play-off.

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Brazil

Austria

Brazil 3 Austria 0

Rimnersvallen, Uddevalla (17,778)
8 June 1958

Brazil had no trouble beating Austria in their opening game.

Soviet Union

England

Soviet Union 2 England 2

Ullevi, Gothenburg (49,348)
8 June 1958

Trailing 2-0 England were headed for defeat. The Soviets had been the better side and deserved to be ahead but with half an hour to go England woke up and Derek Kevan put them back in the game with a headed goal. England laid siege to their opponent's penalty area and with five minutes left, got their reward when the referee awarded a penalty, which Tom Finney converted.

England's crest normally had match details on a scroll underneath but this was omitted for the World Cup.

(André Silva)

Brazil

England

Brazil 0 England 0

Ullevi, Gothenburg (40,895)
11 June 1958

Despite the score line, this was a thrilling game full of incident and with chances at both ends. Played at break neck speed, the game pitched Brazil's ball skills and artistry against the traditional English style of robust tackling and long passes.

This was the first time that a match in the World Cup finals had ended without a goal.

Soviet Union

Austria

Soviet Union 2 Austria 0

Ryavallen, Borås (21,239)
11 June 1958

Goals in each half put the Soviet Union into joint first place along with Brazil and eliminated Austria

England

Austria

England 2 Austria 2

Ryavallen, Borås (15,872)
15 June 1958

A win against the Austrians, who were already eliminated, would have ensured England of a place in the quarter-finals but instead, they struggled and looked ponderous throughout. They had to come from behind twice but might have snatched victory when Robson had the ball in Austria's net with 15 minutes to go but the goal was disallowed after the linesman signaled that he had handled the ball before shooting.

(André Silva)

Brazil

Soviet Union

Brazil 2 Soviet Union 0

Ullevi, Gothenburg (50,928)
15 June 1958

An enormous crowd (by Swedish standards) watched Brazil sailed into the quarter-finals thanks to goals in each half by Vavá. Pelé made his World Cup debut in this match.

Play-Off

Soviet Union

England

Soviet Union 1 England 0

Ullevi, Gothenburg (23,182)
17 June 1958

Ironically, England played better in this game than in their previous matches against the USSR and Austria, but ended up defeated. The decisive goal was scored by Anatoli Ilyin in the 69th minute.