A dramatic play-off victory, a team built around success in north London and the then-most expensive British player of all time leading the line... It's been 64 years but what happened last time Wales reached the World Cup?
- Wales qualified for the 2022 World Cup after a play-off victory over Ukraine
- It will only be Wales' second ever appearance at football's greatest tournament
- Their last showing came at the 1958 competition hosted by Sweden 64 years ago
- Led by Jimmy Murphy Wales defeated the odds to reach their first World Cup
- Among their ranks was Juventus striker and British record transfer John Charles
- Sportsmail takes a look at what happened in Wales' last World Cup appearance
- Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
Look back at their record over the last six years, and it is very easy to forget that Wales have a long and painful history when it comes to international competitions.
In recent years, Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen have spear-headed a side that has qualified for three of the last four major tournaments - a better record than the likes of traditional powerhouses Italy and Holland.
But when Hal Robson-Kanu briefly became possessed by the spirit of Johan Cruyff against Belgium at Euro 2016, Chris Coleman's valiant side were making just their first appearance at a European Championship.
![Gareth Bale helped Wales to World Cup qualification with a victory over Ukraine in June 2022](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63345239-11296857-Gareth_Bale_helped_Wales_to_World_Cup_qualification_with_a_victo-a-37_1665759656665.jpg)
Gareth Bale helped Wales to World Cup qualification with a victory over Ukraine in June 2022
For whatever reason, the nation that has produced the likes of Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush, never cracked the art of international qualification.
Their last showing at a major tournament before that stunning run to the Euro 2016 semi finals? The 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Here Sportsmail rolls back the years to take a look at what happened the last time Wales made it to the World Cup finals, 64 years ago.
![Wales' only other appearance at a World Cup finals was 64 years ago in Sweden in 1958](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63345245-11296857-Wales_only_other_appearance_at_a_World_Cup_finals_was_64_years_a-a-33_1665759655843.jpg)
Wales' only other appearance at a World Cup finals was 64 years ago in Sweden in 1958
Sweden 1958 was memorable for many things, be it the first - and so far only - World Cup to be played in a Nordic country, the stage for Just Fontaine's remarkable 13-goal tally, or the fact that it was the only time all four home nations have ever qualified for the same tournament.
But for Welsh fans, it is a double-edged memory. Simultaneously evoking a sense of pride that their side could compete alongside the might of West Germany, Brazil and the Soviet Union, but also tinged with the disappointment of numerous failed campaigns since then.
![Wales have never had an issue with producing talented players over the years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63345237-11296857-Wales_have_never_had_an_issue_with_producing_talented_players_ov-a-45_1665759656902.jpg)
Wales have never had an issue with producing talented players over the years
Wales arrived at the tournament having been through the jeopardy of a play-off, much like the current side have managed. But only just. This time, though, the opponent was the recently-formed Israel, who won passage past Turkey, Indonesia and Sudan without ever kicking a ball.
Having finished as runner-up in their group behind Czechoslovakia, Wales were entered into a draw with the European nations to finish in second place, and only after Belgium refused to play, it was Wales who were given the chance at qualification in a bizarre twist of fate.
And they grabbed the opportunity with both hands, romping to an emphatic 4-0 win on aggregate to book their ticket to Sweden '58, courtesy of a goal in each leg from legendary Swansea midfielder Ivor Allchurch, and a goal apiece from captain and Arsenal winger David Bowen and Tottenham's Cliff Jones.
A midfielder with countless games for Swansea, and a star duo with links to Arsenal and Tottenham. You couldn't write it.
The side was lead by Jimmy Murphy, who spent the rest of his time assisting Matt Busby at Manchester United. In fact, Murphy's involvement in Wales' play-off with Israel was the only thing that kept him from boarding a plane in Munich on February 6, 1958 - the day of the Munich air disaster, in which 11 United players and coaching staff tragically died.
![Jimmy Murphy (centre right, seated) led Wales as well as being Matt Busby's United assistant](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63338565-11296857-Jimmy_Murphy_centre_right_seated_led_Wales_as_well_as_being_Matt-a-34_1665759655898.jpg)
Jimmy Murphy (centre right, seated) led Wales as well as being Matt Busby's United assistant
Having reached the finals against the odds, Wales were rewarded with a fairly straight forward Group 3 draw.
They would face Mexico, hosts Sweden and a Hungary team that narrowly missed out on glory last time round after a Helmut Rahn wonder goal for West Germany. They would be without the great Ferenc Puskas, though - one of many to flee the country after the 1956 Revolution.
Their own prolific forward, John Charles, who left Great Britain for the continent on a British record deal - sound familiar? - was only allowed to join up with the side four days before their opening clash, with Charles' side Juventus loathe to let their topscorer go.
![John Charles was Juventus' topscorer and they were loathe to let him depart for Sweden](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63284873-11296857-John_Charles_was_Juventus_topscorer_and_they_were_loathe_to_let_-a-36_1665759656641.jpg)
John Charles was Juventus' topscorer and they were loathe to let him depart for Sweden
'There had been problems getting Juventus to release John Charles,' said Jones of the man fondly referred to as Il Gigante Buono, (the Gentle Giant) for both his size and his Lineker-esque record of never receiving a yellow.
'They were pretty reluctant to let him join us in Sweden but the clearance came through at the last minute.
'He was a one-off. I couldn’t think of any better player in the world at that time. If there was a better centre forward I hadn’t seen one and I hadn’t come up against a better centre half.'
![France's Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at the tournament - a record that still stands](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63343137-11296857-France_s_Just_Fontaine_scored_13_goals_at_the_tournament_a_recor-a-35_1665759656613.jpg)
France's Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at the tournament - a record that still stands
Charles himself said of the ordeal: 'I was beginning to feel very downhearted. It was a relief when I was told I could go. After all, how many times does a player get to play in the World Cup?'
Well, if you're Lothar Matthaus then you get 25 opportunities, but the 1990 winner undoubtedly played each and every game as if it was his last.
But with that final complication resolved, Wales embarked on their first ever World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Hungary on Sunday, June 8 1958. The Mighty Magyars took the lead through Jozsef Bozsik in just the fifth minute, before The Gentle Giant draw his side level on 29 minutes to win his side a point.
A draw on your competition debut? Not many sides can boast the same, and Murphy's side followed it up with another stalemate against Mexico, though they were only denied the full two points - as wins were rewarded back then - by an 89th minute equaliser from Jaime Belmonte to cancel out Allchurch's opener.
Interestingly, Belmonte was thereafter regarded as a sort of hero in his own right for his efforts, affectionately dubbed El heroe de Solna in memory of his goal at the Rasunda Stadium.
![Il Gigante Buono was on target against Hungary but could not break through against Mexico](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63345241-11296857-Il_Gigante_Buono_was_on_target_against_Hungary_but_could_not_bre-a-39_1665759656704.jpg)
Il Gigante Buono was on target against Hungary but could not break through against Mexico
Two draws on the bounce meant that the unlikely contenders went into the final round of group games against the hosts in second place on two points, with Hungary losing against Sweden last time out and Mexico on one from two.
![Ivor Allchurch was Wales' topscorer at the tournament with two goals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63309991-11296857-Ivor_Allchurch_was_Wales_topscorer_at_the_tournament_with_two_go-a-40_1665759656713.jpg)
Ivor Allchurch was Wales' topscorer at the tournament with two goals
But in front of 30,287 home supporters all Murphy's side could manage was a drab 0-0 draw, leaving them with three points, and though still unbeaten, needing Hungary to lose or draw to Mexico.
They ended up winning 4-0 courtesy of a brace from Lajos Tichy, who supposedly scored 1912 goals in 1301 total senior appearances.
With both sides level on points in the group, yet another play-off match was called on to decide Wales' fate. They faced Hungary once again, coming off the back of that brilliant display against the Mexicans, in a game watched on by the smallest crowd of the tournament. Some 2,823 fans who clearly had no understanding of the significance of the exhibition they were about to be treated to.
The game did not start in exactly the way that the Welsh would have wanted. Under the pressure of their opponents' five forwards, the Dragons finally let slip a goal to Tichy in the 33rd minute of the tie, leaving the Mighty Magyars ahead at the break.
![Charles finished third for the Ballon d'Or in 1959 but was injured for the quarter final clash](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63338787-11296857-Charles_finished_third_for_the_Ballon_d_Or_in_1959_but_was_injur-a-42_1665759656773.jpg)
Charles finished third for the Ballon d'Or in 1959 but was injured for the quarter final clash
However, not to be denied a chance at progression from a group that they had been through so much to reach in the first place, Wales rallied to score within ten minutes of the restart through Allchurch, netting his second of the competition, before Terry Medwin's 79th minute winner sent the Welsh through to the quarter finals.
But incredible a feat as it was, they had not made it unscathed. The Gentle Giant, the most expensive player Great Britain had ever produced at that time, was out. After 90 minutes of being battered black and blue by the Hungarian defence, Charles would miss the quarter final. And who would Wales play? Brazil, of course.
'They kicked the hell out of me,' said Il Gigante Buono himself. 'My legs were black rather than blue from the pummelling they had taken.'
![Tottenham's Cliff Jones captained the Welsh World Cup effort 64 years ago](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63338623-11296857-Tottenham_s_Cliff_Jones_captained_the_Welsh_World_Cup_effort_64_-a-43_1665759656776.jpg)
Tottenham's Cliff Jones captained the Welsh World Cup effort 64 years ago
Much as the current side are more than just Bale, though, Murphy's Welsh Dragons still packed a punch, so with Allchurch, Jones, Medwin and Co all firing the rank outsiders arrived at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenborg just two days after that brilliant victory over Hungary.
The Brazilian side that lay in wait were yet to lay their hands on the Jules Rimet - though they would master the art in the coming decades - but they were by far the form side in the tournament, lead by the enigmatic Vava, who put two past the Black Spider himself, Lev Yashin.
But valiant as the Welsh efforts were, the quarterfinals proved to be the finish line for Murphy's side. Having seen off numerous obstacles, and fought through the odds to reach the last eight at their maiden tournament, Wales fell to a 66th minute winner scored by the 17-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento - or Pele to you and I.
The Dragons only created one chance in a fiercely contested fixture, and it fell to the man who was called on in the 11th hour to replace Charles, Colin Webster.
He was unable to punish the lapse in concentration from the Brazilians and so Wales' World Cup adventure ended at the hands of a side that were about to win their first of three tournaments in a 12-year period of total dominance.
![Pele's 66th minute strike broke Welsh hearts as they put on a brave defensive display](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63343129-11296857-Pele_s_66th_minute_strike_broke_Welsh_hearts_as_they_put_on_a_br-a-38_1665759656686.jpg)
Pele's 66th minute strike broke Welsh hearts as they put on a brave defensive display
The Welsh side had competed on the same stage as some of the game's greatest names in Pele, Yashin and Fontaine over just 11 short days, but a defeat to one of the great Brazil sides - of which there have been a fair few over the years - proved to be the end.
Jones added: 'People talk about Pele, but although you could tell there was something special about him, none of us would really know who he was to go on to become.
'All we knew was that we were out. That was disappointing because we had matched Brazil in every department. Ask them and they will tell you, it was the hardest match they played, so much so we were invited to play them in two warm-up games before the next World Cup.
![Murphy's side were playing alongside legends of the game like the Soviet Union's Lev Yashin](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63338279-11296857-Murphy_s_side_were_playing_alongside_legends_of_the_game_like_th-a-41_1665759656752.jpg)
Murphy's side were playing alongside legends of the game like the Soviet Union's Lev Yashin
'We had superb players, an outstanding spirit and we could have gone on to do better things and I’m not sure we realised that as much as we should have.
'And, as much as we were disappointed, like all players you believe you will get another chance.'
The chance never came for Jones, Charles and Allchurch, but now it has passed on to Rob Page's side lead by the prolific Bale and Co.
And though that little nation home to just over 3 million people has had to wait almost a generation to see their side back on the global stage, their hopes and passion for the game have far from faded.
![Bale's side will now become just the second side to represent their nation at the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/14/16/63355953-11296857-Bale_s_side_will_now_become_just_the_second_side_to_represent_th-a-44_1665759656854.jpg)
Bale's side will now become just the second side to represent their nation at the World Cup
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