The last (and only) time Wales reached the finals of a major tournament was in 1958 when they qualified for the World Cup finals in Sweden.
Featuring in a group that also contained Hungary, Mexico and Sweden, the Welsh battled to three hard-fought draws. John Charles, of Leeds United and Juventus fame, scored in the 1-1 draw with Hungary, Ivor Allchurch in the 1-1 against Mexico and there was a goalless stalemate against the group winners and eventual runners-up, Sweden.
With Hungary and Wales both finishing on three points, a play-off match saw Wales reach the last eight after coming from behind in Solna to beat Hungary 2–1 with goals from Allchurch and Terry Medwin.
However, Charles was injured in the match and missed the quarter-final against Brazil in Gothenburg, a match decided by a single goal after 66 minutes by the 17-year old Pelé. The Wales manager, Jimmy Murphy, reflected that “with John Charles in the side we might have won.”
As it was, Brazil went on to win the World Cup for the first time. Just 12 years later, Brazil, and Pelé, had won three.
