Tournament · 1966 · group stage
FIFA World Cup 1966
The World Cup in England where Brazil, the holders, went out in the first round as Pelé was fouled out of two matches.
The eighth World Cup was played in England from 11 to 30 July 1966. Brazil were the holders, with Vicente Feola back as coach, and were expected to do well.
In the first match, against Bulgaria at Goodison Park, Pelé scored the opening goal. That made him the first player to score at three successive World Cups. But he was fouled again and again, and was not fit to play the next match. Brazil lost it 3–1 to Hungary.
He returned, not fully fit, for the last group game against Portugal. The defender João Morais fouled him twice and was not sent off, a decision often listed among the worst refereeing errors in World Cup history. Accounts differ on whether Pelé limped on to the end or was carried off. Brazil lost 3–1 and went out.
Afterwards Pelé said he would not play at a World Cup again. He changed his mind in 1969.
England won the tournament, beating West Germany in the final at Wembley.
Against Hungary, without Pelé, Tostão scored Brazil's goal, but Ferenc Bene, János Farkas and Kálmán Mészöly scored for Hungary in front of 51,387 people. The Hungary match was refereed by Ken Dagnall of England. Portugal and Hungary went through from the group.
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The country it was held in
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Questions this answers
How many World Cups did Pelé win?
Pelé won three World Cups, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and is the only player to have done so. He played in four, also appearing in 1966, and scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches.