Six Santos players in Brazil’s ill-fated 1966 World Cup bid | OneFootball

Six Santos players figured in Brazil’s disappointing 1966 World Cup campaign in England, as the holders chased a historic third successive title.

According to Diario Do Peixe, the squad included Gylmar dos Santos Neves, Zito and Pelé, all champions in 1958 and 1962, plus Orlando Peçanha, a 1958 starter. Debutants Lima and Edu, then the youngest footballer ever called up for a World Cup, completed the list. It could have been seven again, as in 1962, but Carlos Alberto Torres was cut from the final party.

Brazil opened with a 2-0 win over Bulgaria, Pelé scoring the first with a superb free-kick. He then injured his left knee and missed the 3-1 defeat to Hungary.

The same 3-1 scoreline followed against Portugal, a match marked by violent targeting of Pelé, and Brazil went out early.

Gylmar also played only two games, Bulgaria and Hungary, suffering an injury against the Magyars that left him unable to dive for Mészöly’s penalty, Hungary’s third. Manga replaced him to face Portugal, while Orlando Peçanha featured only in that match and captained Brazil.

Lima was among the few positives and, alongside Jairzinho, was one of the only players to appear in all three games. He partnered Denílson against Bulgaria and Portugal, then Gérson against Hungary.

The group-stage exit was linked to internal issues and football’s tactical evolution. Coach Vicente Feola assessed 47 players and arrived in England without a settled XI, using 20 of the 22 selected. The unused were Zito, injured on the eve of the tournament, and Edu, who did not get on.

Source: Diario Do Peixe