On This Day – 19th June
It has been 62 years since Wales last played in a World Cup. It was on this day back in 1958 that they played in their last game, losing 1-0 to Brazil in the Quarter Final.
The 1958 finals in Sweden was the first, and so far only, time that the Welsh have played in. They were drawn in Group 3 alongside hosts Sweden, Mexico and the great Hungary side.
Hungary were to be Wales’ first opponents and the two played out a 1-1 draw. The Welsh would also draw their last two matches 1-1 with Mexico. Their final game was a goalless draw with hosts Sweden and so they finished the group with three points.
Hungary had managed to win against Mexico but lost to Sweden. Two points were awarded for a win in World Cup group matches and as a result, Wales and Hungary both ended up with three points. A Play Off match was needed to decide who would qualify for the Quarter Finals alongside Sweden who went through as group winners.
Wales came from a goal down to win the Play Off 2-1 against the Hungarians to set up a Quarter Final tie with Brazil.
They would have to play against Brazil without their captain John Charles, who was injured in the 2-1 win over Hungary. Charles was not only their captain, but their best player and was playing for Italian giants Juventus at the time.
The score was goalless until the 66th minute when Brazil’s 17 year old striker Pele scored his first World Cup goal.
The teenager had his back to goal near the penalty spot. He took possession of a loose ball, chesting it down before spinning his marker and hitting the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
After the game, the Wales manager Jimmy Murphy said that he thought if John Charles had been in the side, Wales could would won the game and could have gone on to win the tournament.
Brazil went on to win the World Cup, beating Sweden 5-2 in the Final. Pele scored a hat-trick and he would go on to lift the trophy in 1962 and 1970.
Wales fans still hope to see their national team one day reach the tournament.
About Author
