World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 39,800

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 14, 2014 at 11pm UK

England
1-2
Italy

Sturridge (37')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Marchisio (35'), Balotelli (50')

Brazil's top five World Cup goals

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 07 June 2014

Sports Mole selects the top five World Cup goals scored by this year's hosts Brazil.

On Thursday evening, the 20th instalment of the World Cup will get underway.

It's a tournament that on this occasion will be hosted by Brazil, who have lifted the trophy five times - more than any other nation.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out the South American country's top five goals scored at football's biggest competition.

5. Eder vs. USSR, 1982
The 1982 Brazil side, which contained the likes of Zico, Socrates and Junior, may not have triumphed in Spain, but they still scored one of the tournament's best goals in the group stages. With the score against USSR locked at 1-1, Eder teed himself up for a volley 25 yards from goal, which he lashed into the net three minutes from time.

4. Josimar vs. Poland, 1986
Defender Josimar's first two World Cup appearances yielded a goal in each. His first against Northern Ireland was a stunner from distance, but the one that he scored against Poland in the second round was arguably even better. Having weaved his way inside the area, the full-back then fired in from an acute angle.

3. Nelinho vs. Italy, 1978
Was it a cross? To this day Nelinho insists that his strike with the outside of the right boot, which bent beyond the reach of a diving Dino Zoff, was intentional. It also helped the Yellows to secure third spot at the 1978 World Cup.

2. Pele vs. Sweden, 1958
At the tender age of 17, Pele went into the 1958 World Cup with a knee injury, but regained fitness to help the Brazilians to reach the final, where he scored twice. One of those goals was particularly memorable, as he lifted the ball over his marker before volleying into the Sweden net.

1. Carlos Alberto vs. Italy, 1970
During the 1970 final, Italy, already trailing 3-1, lost possession inside the Brazil half. Eight passes later, the ball was with Pele 20 yards from goal and the centre-forward, without appearing to look up, rolled a pass perfectly into the path of an advancing Alberto. Rather than taking a touch, the full-back fired goalwards and his low strike nestled in the bottom corner of the net.