Santistas at the 1958 World Cup as Pelé stars in Brazil’s first title | OneFootball

Santos players were central to Brazil’s 1958 World Cup triumph, with Pelé a leading figure in the country’s first title.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the first five World Cups passed without a Santos player, though Araken Patusca appeared in 1930 registered to Flamengo. Paulista titles in 1955 and 1956 changed that.

In 1958, Zito, Pelé and Pepe were called. Pelé scored six in five at the 1957 Copa Roca but a heavy challenge by Ary Clemente in a Corinthians friendly put his place in doubt, and Paulo Machado de Carvalho kept him in. Zito, initially a reserve while competing with Dino Sani and Roberto Belangero, became pivotal, while Pepe travelled but an injury in a friendly with Internazionale ruled him out.

Pelé and Zito entered the XI in the third group match, a 2-0 win over the Soviet Union. The 17-year-old then scored the quarter-final winner against Wales and a hat-trick in the 5-2 semi-final against France, where Zito set up Vavá’s opener.

In the final against hosts Sweden, Brazil wore blue for the first time at a World Cup and fell behind to Liedholm. Twice Zito released Garrincha to cross low, and Vavá converted both before the break.

After the interval Pelé chested, flicked over a defender and finished for a famed third. Zagallo added the fourth, Simonsson replied, then Pelé headed the fifth as Brazil became the first side to win the World Cup outside their own continent.

Source: Diario Do Peixe