Soccer in Sun and Shadow

Goal by Nílton

It was at the World Cup in 1958. Brazil was leading Austria 1–0.

At the beginning of the second half, the key to the Brazilian defense, Nílton Santos, who was called “The Encyclopedia” for his vast knowledge of soccer, abandoned the rear guard, passed the center line, eluded a pair of opposing players, and kept going. The Brazilian manager, Vicente Feola, was also running but on the other side of the touchline. Sweating buckets, he screamed, “Go back! Go back!”

Nílton, unflappable, continued his race toward the enemy area. A fat and desperate Feola clutched his head, but Nílton refused to pass the ball to any of the forwards. He made the play entirely on his own and it culminated in a tremendous goal.

Then a happy Feola said, “Did you see that? Didn’t I tell you? This one really knows!”