With 41 days until the World Cup, we revisit Garrincha's glorious final act for Brazil at the 1966 England World Cup against Bulgaria.
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 free-kick in the 64th minute, the Bulgaria goalkeeper readied himself for the same striker. This time, however, Garrincha burst towards the ball. There seemed little angle for a right-footer, but the Angel With Bent Legs spectacularly curved it around the wall and into the top corner. No goalkeeper in the world would have saved that, said defender Boris Gaganelov.
It proved to be the 40th and final match that Garrincha and Pele played together for Brazil. Their record in those games was mind-blowing: 36 wins, four draws, and not a single defeat.
