CHAMPION: Brazil
RUNNER-UP: Sweden
GOLDEN SHOE: Just Fontaine (FRA)
TEAMS: 16
TOTAL MATCHES: 35
GOALS SCORED: 126 (3.6 per match)
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 26,273
SURPRISES: A 17-year old phenom named Pele leading Brazil to its first World Cup title, Just Fontaine scoring a still record 13 goals in one World Cup.
FORMAT: Four teams in four groups in the preliminary stage, followed by a single elimination knockout round.
1958 – The most famous name in football history launched his career in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Only 17-years old, Pele was instrumental in leading the Selecao to its first World Cup trophy as they defeated the hosting Swedes 5-2 in the final at the Rasunda stadium.
French striker Just Fontaine set the record that year for most goals in a single tournament with 13. The first 0-0 draw in World Cup history was also played that year between England and Brazil during the group stage.
For the first and only time in World Cup history, all four British nations participated in the same tournament. Fans back in the British Isles were also pleased to watch the World Cup from their living rooms as it was the first finals televised to an international audience.
But no nation celebrated more than the Brazilians. Their revolutionary 4-2-4 formation featuring the aforementioned Pele, along with stars Garrincha and Vava, thrilled attending fans from Gothenburg to Stockholm and began the long history of success that Brazil has enjoyed ever since
