World Cup 2014 countdown: Sweden reach the final in 1958

Counting down the 100 greatest moments in the history of the World Cup

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The World Cup in Brazil is coming into view and everyone is hoping this summer's carnival can take its place among some of the great tournaments of the past.

That won't be easy though, as this series will testify. In the run-up to the tournament, we're counting down the 100 greatest World Cup moments.

Check out our latest instalment below, and for any you missed, see the gallery at the end of the article.

Sweden reach the final in 1958

The 1958 World Cup is remembered as the tournament where the world first got a glimpse of Pele, who was making his debut appearance at a Finals.

Yet at the tournament in Sweden, the host nation's run to the final was a remarkable achievement.

The Swedish side were not fancied before the tournament but came through their group which included Hungary and Mexico. They then defeated the Soviet Union before coming through a memorable semi-final against West Germany.

Erich Juskowiak became the first German player to be sent off in an international game before their captain Fritz Walter got injured. As substitutes weren't introduced until the 1970 World Cup, the Germans were hugely weakened.

Sweden won the match 3-1 and set up a final with Brazil in Solna. Beating Pele's Brazil was a task too far, and the host nation were beaten 5-2 - but Eric Person's side proved once again the advantages of playing on home soil.

After lifting the World Cup, the Brazilian players honoured the host nation by sprinting around the pitch holding a Swedish flag.