In 1957, Brazil hosted Argentina in a friendly match at Maracana, with Pele, then 16, on the bench. Labruna of River Plate had given La Albiceleste the lead, and at halftime, Brazilian coach Sylvio Pirillo looked to his bench. As Pele galloped onto the pitch for the first time in Brazil’s famous jersey, his second substitution of the match would turn the footballing world upside down in the coming years.
With 76 minutes remaining, the ball fell kindly to the 16-year-old, who sent it flying past the goalkeeper and into the Argentinian net. That would be the first of many goals he would score for Brazil. And it all began here.
source: 55 bructraxBrazil faced France in the World Cup semifinals, a team that included Just Fontaine. Fontaine was the tournament’s leading scorer at the time, with eight goals, but after this match, the only name the world would remember was Pele, who scored a sensational hat-trick as France was defeated 5-2.
source: RptimaoTV2Pele scored twice in the final against Sweden after sweeping aside France in the semis. The 17-year-old controlled a Nlton Santos cross on his chest and twisted away from his nearest marker to score the first goal, which is often described as one of the most exquisite goals scored in World Cup history.
He’d then lob the ball over another player and volley past the Swedish goalkeeper. Pele would complete his brace in the final minute of the game after a back flick to Mu00e1rio Zagallo, which he got back in the center and finished with sheer power. Brazil won 5-2, and Pele won his first of three world titles.
