The ECHO’s Chris Beesley continues his daily series of articles on Everton and the World Cup running throughout the tournament in Qatar.
Holders Brazil’s World Cup debut at Goodison Park had finished with the ECHO's Michael Charters proclaiming that they could secure a hat-trick of titles after their 1958 and 1962 successes but the South Americans were brought back down to earth by Hungary in their second group game.
After a 2-0 win over Bulgaria in their opener at Everton's home ground, Charters wrote of Brazil: “These Brazilians not only play the game ‘for keeps’, they can also entertain with their great technique and artistry. They can lift the game when they want to and this attribute could make them once again the outstanding side of the tournament.”
It wasn’t just Brazil’s players who were receiving plaudits though and the Echo revealed that a report in Sweden had praised the population of Liverpool for the way they had embraced the tournament. Stockholm-based publication Dagens Nyheter is quoted as saying: “This is the football city of England, not stiff and serious London where you can hardly tell that there is a World Cup competition going on. The people here are really the supporters and friends of football.
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“They have decorated the streets near the stadium and windows and doors bear paper garlands and flowers. They have put up notices on walls welcoming friends of football from all over the world.”
But while nobody was left in any doubt about Scousers’ hospitality credentials, the Brazilian blossom quickly wilted after the bouquets they had received after their first fixture. Of their loss to the Magyars, Charters said: “Another great game at Goodison Park last night – in fact one of the finest ever seen on this famous ground.
“Hungary turned the North-West group inside out with their 3-1 victory over the favourites and holders, Brazil, and their magnificent display gave the soaked crowd something to talk about for years. Hungary turned on a type of attack, urged on by the locals in the crowd who swept them to victory with their support, which had the Brazil defence fully exposed as suspect against such flowing, thrilling play.”
Pele was ruled out of the game with a knee injury and without their star man, Brazil “never found their rhythm” and struggled with the conditions as Charters observed: “The wet turf seemed to disturb them and upset the flow of their passing.” The Hungarians took the lead just two minutes into the contest with what Charters described as “a brilliant individual goal” by Ferenc Bene as the forward “beat three men, sent Gilmar the wrong way in the Brazil goal, and then turned the ball into the other corner.”
Indeed, when the holders equalised a dozen minutes later through Tostao, Charters remarked that it was “fortunate.”
“Lima took the free-kick from 25 yards, the ball struck a Hungarian defender and was deflected to Tostao who cracked it high into the net.”
However, as the rain started to get heavier, the European side started to take control and they went close several times with Brazil “defending desperately” before finally restoring their lead on 64 minutes as “Janos Farkas smashed the ball home from a low centre by Bene.” The Hungarians sealed their famous victory with a penalty on 73 minutes after Bene was fouled by Altair.
Charters wrote: “Kalman Meszoly made no mistake from the spot, although two of his colleagues in front of the main stand, turned their heads away in anguish while he was taking the kick.”
While Brazil are often one of the neutrals’ favourites at all World Cups and had earned plenty of cheers from the Merseyside public in their previous fixture, Hungary’s biggest star Florian Albert, a one club man with Ferencvaros who would be voted European Footballer of the Year in 1967, hailed the tremendous encouragement his side – who were based in Birkdale for the competition – received from the Goodison crowd.
He said: “I was very pleased, and sometimes felt that we were playing at home. I want to thank, on the behalf of the Hungarian team, the crowd for the wonderful support they gave us today.”
Another 3-1 victory over Bulgaria at Old Trafford five days later would see the Maygars progressing to the knockout stages before a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to the Soviet Union at Roker Park but for Brazil, the defence of the crown they had held for the previous eight years as about to come to a premature end at Goodison.
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Everton legend Kevin Sheedy lifts lid on World Cup 'derby game' and crucial penalty advice
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Everton fans take Jordan Pickford jibes to heart but can benefit from more England heroics from him
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World Cup proved the end of the road for Everton trailblazer
