IT IS often said, that out of disaster some good always comes. In 1962, a shattering earthquake shook Chile to its very foundations, the country was a mess, a shambles, and unthinkable to anyone that this land could host the World Cup Finals.

Well, not many people argued with the shattering realism around them. Total disaster.

Most Chileans agreed that the tournament would have to be re-scheduled, moved to Argentina.

Not their president of the Chilean Football Federation, Carlos Dittborn, no, he was determined that Chile would host the event.

He showed the FIFA officials the ruins, pointed out that Chile now had nothing and needed the World Cup Tournament to encourage the nation to rebuild their country. FIFA agreed, the show went on.

Two wonderful stadiums were built and as they were pieced into place, brick by brick, Chilean pride was being restored.

Sadly Carlos Dittborn didn't live to see the start of the tournament, but his memory lives on.

England were the only British team in the finals, in a group with Hungary, Argentina and Bulgaria. Not easy. In the match against Hungary, the Magyars did a 'tight man Malkins' on Johnny Haynes, England didn't function and Hungary won 2-1.

Surprisingly, England crushed Argentina 3-1 in the next match and hopes soared amongst the English supporters.

Then, just when England needed a win, they were held to a draw by Bulgaria which put them into second place in the group and a match with ... Brazil. Pele, the Black Pearl, was injured but the player conveyor belt rolled on and they came up with a "White Pele", the brilliant footballer of amazing skills Amarildo and surely England couldn't cope with both him and Garrincha.

Indeed they couldn't and for half an hour England held on.

Then, a high ball was played into the England box but it looked to be too high to reach. Garrincha stole in and with amazing skill jumped high above the England defenders to send a header scorching past Ron Springett,

Gerry Hitchens equalised for England, but soon Brazil were soon back in front. Spingett couldn't hold Garrincha's free kick and the ball dropped to Vava and he had the ball in the net in a flash.

Garrincha then wrapped it all up with a thirty yard free kick that 'bent' violently round the England defensive wall. It was all over for England.

Chile were Brazil's opponents in the semi-finals having beaten Russia 2-1, but their earlier match against Italy is what the tournament was remembered for. The match was hostile, quite "uncontrollable" was how the referee described it later.

Sanchez the Chilean, produced a punch that poleaxed Maschio leaving him in a crumpled heap with a broken nose.

Ferrini responded for Italy with a violent kick on Landa. He was ordered off but wouldn't leave the pitch.

Uproar followed for fifteen minutes, the Italian officials and FIFA representatives argued on the pitch until at last, amid frantic scenes, Ferrini was police marched off the pitch.

Then Mario Sanchez in the head and with only nine men Italy lost 2-0.

Chile were no match for Brazil in the semi-final, losing 4-2 and it was that man Garrincha again with two goals plus two from Vava.

Czechoslovakia were Brazil's opponents in the final, due largely to magnificent performances by thier goalkeeper William Schoiff.

Czechoslovakia went a goal up in seventeen minutes, a brilliant effort by Masopust.

Then Amarildo hit a wonder goal for Brazil.

He cut inside and hit a shot which swerved away from the keeper and high into the net.

Zito put Brazil ahead from Amarildo's perfect cross and then, amazingly, Schroiff dropped a harmless ball into the path of Vava, the net bulged and Brazil won 3-1.

Once again, the streets of Brazil were awash with a colourful spectacular of dancing.

The drums played on for days, Brazil were champions of the world, the world knew it, and they had won, even without Pele.

Next week, 1966 in England and the 'goal' that they are still talking about.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.