June 19: Pele Opens FIFA World Cup Account

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Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, is the greatest footballer in the history of the sport and he is best known around the globe for his exploits in the FIFA World Cup and it was on this day in soccer history in 1958 that the Brazilian scored his first goal in the FIFA World Cup.

And Pele picked the perfect time to score his first in a FIFA World Cup as his 66th finish was the lone goal in the quarterfinals match against Wales. He was at 17 years and 239 days the youngest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history

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But Pele was just getting started. In the semifinal against France with the South American side up 2-1, Pele knocked in a second half hat trick with goals in the 52nd, 64th and 75th minutes in the 5-2 win. He then went on to add two more goals in the final to help Brazil defeat Sweden 5-2 to win their first FIFA World Cup title.

Soccer Birthdays

1972 – Brian McBride, American soccer player