Brazil at the World Cups: 1966, Garrincha’s Seleção farewell | OneFootball

All the anticipation surrounding the 1966 World Cup, held in England, was focused on the Brazilian National Team. After all, the squad had won back-to-back titles in 1958 and 1962 and still featured several stars from those two triumphs. But not everything went as the fans, coaching staff, and players of the Seleção had hoped.

The impression in the opener could not have been better: a 2-0 win over Bulgaria, with goals from Garrincha and Pelé, delighting the many fans who turned up at Goodison Park in Liverpool.

Starting lineup in the 1966 World Cup openerCredits: Collection / CBF

In that match, however, the Bulgarians committed a series of very rough fouls, and that led to Pelé being sidelined for Brazil’s next game, against Hungary. His absence weighed heavily on Brazil.

Just 2 minutes into the match, the European side opened the scoring. Brazil, coached by Vicente Feola, managed to respond and equalized through Tostão. But Hungary’s physical style prevailed for most of the game, resulting in a 3-1 scoreline against the Brazilians.

In front of 57,000 people, again at Goodison Park, the match against Hungary marked Garrincha’s farewell to the Brazilian National Team — 55 appearances in all. That was because the coaching staff decided to make nine changes for the following clash, against Portugal.

Brazil needed to beat the Portuguese, but did not know exactly by how many goals. That was because qualification would depend on the result of Hungary vs. Bulgaria, which would be played the following day. Portugal, meanwhile, had already secured its place in the next round.

Pelé in action in Brazil 2-0 BulgariaCredits: National Archives / Correio da Manhã

In truth, Brazil suffered a blackout in the decisive match and was already trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes. Pelé was on the field, but it was clear he was still feeling the effects of the heavy kicks he had taken in the game against Bulgaria.

Rildo pulled one back, but Portugal would later score a third goal, putting an end to Brazil’s campaign in England, in another early exit for the Seleção, once again at Goodison Park.

See Brazil’s squad for the 1966 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Gilmar (Santos) and Manga (Botafogo);

Defenders: Altair (Fluminense), Bellini (São Paulo), Brito (Vasco), Djalma Santos (Palmeiras), Fidélis (Bangu), Orlando Peçanha (Santos), Paulo Henrique (Flamengo) and Rildo (Botafogo);

Midfielders: Denilson (Fluminense), Gerson (Botafogo), Lima (Santos) and Zito (Santos);

Forwards: Alcindo (Grêmio), Edu (Santos), Garrincha (Corinthians), Jairzinho (Botafogo), Paraná (São Paulo), Pelé (Santos), Silva (Flamengo) and Tostão (Cruzeiro).

Head coach: Vicente Feola.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.