41 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Garrincha
Brazil v Bulgaria
England 1966 | Group 3
Goodison Park, Liverpool
Georgi Naydenov could have been forgiven for expecting another Pele free-kick. ‘The King’ had fizzed one past him to give Brazil a 14th-minute lead. When they were awarded another in the 64th minute, the Bulgaria goalkeeper readied himself for the same striker.
This time, though, Garrincha burst towards the ball. There seemed little angle for a right-footer, but ‘The Angel With Bent Legs’ spectacularly swerved it around the wall and into the top corner. “No goalkeeper in the world would have saved that,” said defender Boris Gaganelov.
It proved the 40th and final game Garrincha and Pele would play together for Brazil. Their record in those was mind-blowing: 36 wins, four draws and not a single defeat.
