JUNE 19TH 1958

June 19th 1958, was a day when the World Cup was being hosted in Sweden. FOUR teams from the British Isles had previously qualified to play in the tournament, a first. 

How many can you name?

England won their group by two points from the Republic of Ireland, but there were only THREE teams in the group. Denmark was the other nation, who came last out of three. 

In the Finals in Sweden, countries played in Groups; Brazil, the eventual champions, drew with England 0-0, and England were "draw" specialists, also matching Austria 2-2 and Soviet Union 2-2.

England: P3 W0, D3, L0 F4 A4 Pts 3  Soviet Union: P3 W1 D1 L1 F4 A4 Pts 3.......... the two played off and England lost 0-1 in the Ullevi Stadium, Sweden; a stadium Charterhouse boys will know well from past tours. The Soviet's then conveniently lost to the hosts, Sweden in  the Quarter-Finals and Sweden marched on to the final, losing to Brazil 5-2.

Wales came second behind Czechoslovakia in their European group of THREE and in a play off with Israel, qualified for the Finals. Jimmy Murphy was the Welsh team coach and was also Matt Busby's right hand man at Manchester United. He was due to be on the Man Utd plane that crashed at Munich but Wales were playing against Israel in a play off and he was with his national squad instead.  Wales beat Israel 2-0 home and away. 

In the Finals' group in Sweden, Wales played their hosts, Hungary and Mexico, conjuring three draws. Remarkably the Welsh had the same number of points (3) as Hungary, though Hungary had scored 6 and let in 3. Wales, who scored 2 conceded 2. The rules said play off, which they did and Wales won 2-1 having been 0-1 down at half time. 

Scotland also carried on to Sweden, having dealt with Spain and Switzerland in their European group. 

In their final group, Ireland departed with only one point (their group included France, Yugoslavia and Paraguay) having played three, drew one, lost the others.

Northern Ireland had a remarkable qualifying period, with Italy and Portugal in their group of three. They lost to Italy first up, drew and beat Portugal 3-0 and then beat Italy in their final tie in January to secure top spot. Only one team continued. Northern Ireland then had to play off in their Finals group with the Czechs, winning 2-1 and getting into the Quarter-finals.

The Irish in the Quarter-finals lost to France 4-0. 

On June 19th, Edson Arantes do Nascimento scored the only goal in the World Cup Quarter-Final when Brazil played Wales. It was his first World Cup goal, scored at the Ullevi. He then scored THREE in the Semi-final v France and TWO in the Final, making a name for himself as Brazil won the Jules Rimet Trophy beating hosts, Sweden, 5-2. The name of the Brazilian forward was PELE, below being consoled by his team mates follwoing his "success".

England qualified through their European group, consisting of  The Republic of Ireland and Denmark. Brazil beat Peru once (1-0) and drew with them 0-0 in a South American Group of TWO. Don't ask! Two other South American groups consisted of three nations, with Argentina and Paraguay making progress.